Blogging Meeting

Today, for the first time I met a friend whom I have enjoyed getting to know. That seems so reversed, I should have met her first and then gotten to know her. In this age of computers and blogs and long-distant relationships, it is often vice versa.

I found this woman’s blog through a Chaplain blogroll. As we are embarking on a new direction and path in our lives, I sought out the direction and assistance of wives who have been down this road. I sought out a Titus woman who would be able to “fill me in” so to speak about what I could expect as we travel along this journey God has put before us.

I discovered to my delight that one particular Chaplain’s wife lived near me and that perhaps we could meet in real life and talk face to face. We’ve been trying to connect for months it seems, but with 10 children between us and often going separate directions, it has been difficult to say the least, with cancellations and postponements along the way. But today, we did it. Plans were pushed aside, laundry went undone, (on my part, anyway) and we conversed, we met, we fellowshipped; we ate!

I arrived at the restaurant first. I told the Hostess that I was meeting someone for lunch; someone I didn’t know. She seated me by the door so that I could “see her when she came in.” Just what part of “I don’t know her” didn’t you understand?

Anyway, I studied the menu and tried to find a dish that would satisfy both Fat Girl and Skinny Girl; the dieting, often-battling sisters inside me. Into the restaurant walked a nice looking brunette, who I thought might be the lady I was to meet, but the light was behind her and my vision is terrible in poorly lighted places. I squinted and thought; wasn’t her hair a bit fuller in her picture? Is that her? I can’t tell, Oh, I wish I were more outgoing and bold, I’d go on up and ask.

She sat for a minute or two probably thinking the same thing, (well, in the last picture she saw of me on my blog, I had my hair in ponytail with a baseball cap and covered in mud, so I guessed that she wasn’t sure either, ha!) She picked up her cell phone and started to dial, and then mine buzzed in my pocket! Too funny, there we were nearly staring right at each other, with our phones to our ears. “Is that you?” “Yes, this is me!” Silly girls.

We had such a nice lunch and got to know each other a bit better. It felt a bit strange to go about this “meeting and getting to know you” sort of backwards but with God’s people, it’s all good!

We had lots to discuss, my upcoming trip to the Chaplain School in South Carolina, she had already been through the spouse’s seminar, so I needed the scoop, so to speak.

I’m new on this journey as a Chaplain’s wife, and while she hasn’t been on her “journey” long either, she at least has the experience of being a pastor’s wife, where I do not.

There were people that we both knew through blogs or prior military service; it is a small world to be sure. It was so good to finally meet a friend whom I have grown to love and respect.

Thanks Laura for taking the time and reaching out to a friend.