Saturday
ended up being quite the day. Dylan and I woke up at Mom & Bob’s house
after a much needed good night sleep. We even slept in a bit! My mom and I had
planned on taking Dylan to the Farmer’s Market that morning, so we got ready
and got going!
I guess Mom
& Bob usually go much earlier in the morning, so it was much busier than my
mom was used to. But the weather was nice, so I didn’t mind the crowds. Other
than buying some fresh produce, I didn’t really have anything else on my
shopping list. I hadn't been to that Farmer’s Market before so I just wanted
to walk around and explore.
Dylan was
really riding in style. We brought his wagon and some snacks, so he was happy.
Well, he was happy until we were going down the last row. Then he wanted to “alk.”
We compromised with getting out of the wagon, but I carried him. He’s too much
of a runner/explorer to be trusted in a crowd that large.
Little did I know
that fate was about to take over…
We stopped
at a produce tent so I could buy some fruit and corn. There was a lady buying
huge bags full of corn so I was waiting behind her looking around. I saw these
20something girls waiting to the left holding huge plants. I didn’t even look
at their faces, I just thought, “wow, those are huge plants” and then looked
away. When the corn lady reached down to get her bags, I realized that it was
Patty! Patty, who I haven’t seen in years! Patty, the mom of one of my best
friends in high school. Patty, who always follows all the photos I put of Dylan
on Facebook. Patty, who always tells me she can’t wait to meet the little man.
“Patty! Patty! Patty!” She turned and
instantly got as excited as I was! Then she said, “Did you see Elizabeth?” Liz,
who I haven’t seen in, literally, years. Liz, who has been moving around the
country almost as much as me. Liz, who I’ve been emailing and talking to but we
never seem to visit the Quad Cities at the same time. Liz, who I was expecting
to see at the end of June when we were finally going to be in the same town at
the same time. I started frantically searching the huge crowd for my long lost
friend. She was one of the 20somethings hidden behind those huge plants!
Her sister
(another one of the 20somethings) got her attention and pointed her in our
direction. As soon as she spotted us, she dropped everything she was holding
and came running at us. (Good thing I didn’t drop what I was holding…Dylan
would’ve been pissed!) So Dylan was smushed between us in the middle of the
Farmer’s Market while we fiercely hugged and while I got all teary and
emotional. I swear, with the week I've had, my emotions are living right under the
surface and it doesn’t take much scratching to get them to show.
Later when
we were talking about our reunion we were sharing our initial reactions. When
Patty asked if I saw Elizabeth, I thought, “Well, that’s just a cruel joke!
Wait…maybe she’s serious!” When Liz first saw us she thought, “I didn’t know
Anika was visiting Moline this weekend! Wait…she moved here!”
Once we
calmed down, and there was some time for Liz & Patty to fawn over Dylan,
they invited Dylan and me over that afternoon to go swimming. After finally
buying my fruit and corn, we left so Dylan could take a nap before our new
afternoon plans.
Immediately
after I got Dylan asleep Josh was wanting to Skype. (Yay for me, sad for Dylan)
Although, it might be better that Dylan
didn’t see Josh that time because our internet connection was funky and Josh
looked more like an acid trip video of an 80’s robot. I could see the outline
of him but everything was splotchy and blurry. But at least we were talking and
he could see me.
Josh told me
about the All-You-Can-Eat place he had gone to the day before and how he had
walked over to American Alley (A street in Bahrain with all American places,
like Fridays, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Planet Hollywood and more). He said it’s awfully hot, but not as
miserably humid as it was in Florida.
He had to
work on Sunday morning, but was then going to a BBQ/Cookout that the base was
throwing for Memorial Day. He should be moving into his apartment sometime this
week (I think) so I hope to have a mailing address for him sometime soon. I’ll
let you know…
Not even two
minutes after I hung up with Josh, Dylan woke up from his nap. (So close!) So
Dylan and I got pool ready and headed over to visit with the Jones Family. It
was great. Dylan was a little nervous at first. I think it was a little much -
all new people and a huge pool. But he warmed up after a while and we had some
pool fun. He only fell off his raft twice. One time he got a face full of water
and the second time I landed a pretty spectacular upside-down catch. But we had
fun.
Seeing Liz
was exactly the thing I needed to snap me out of my funk. Fate works in funny
ways. I can’t tell you how happy I am that lady fate decided that I needed to
see my friend. Anybody know lady fate’s address so I can send her a thank you
note? I think she deserves one. I’ve also decided that anytime Jon shows up unexpectedly
at my door, something amazing will happen within the next 24 hours. Ooo, did
you hear that? I’m pretty sure I just heard the Universe whisper, “Challenge accepted!”
