"There Is A Reason" - Alison Krauss
Exactly a year ago from this past Thursday, I received this comment on one of my posts about fighting the blues after another failed cycle...
My dearest Maria! Just spent the last half hour perusing your blog. I have to tell you that you are one extraordinary woman. Your blog is so emotional and so real, and I'm grateful for your honesty. It's refreshing! I find myself offering prayers to heaven on your behalf. Thank you for being so inspiring. Thank you for stopping by my blog and for following me! I'm returning the follow...and cracking open and raising a can of Diet Coke to you, in your honor! HA Ha! Best wishes!
August 2nd, 2011 12:17 PM
It was in response to my comment on her funny and witty post about a very interesting game of Candyland she shared with her family...
July 29, 2011 3:40 AM
And on Thursday night, exactly 365 days after being sent those kind words from Aleisha,
I was standing in the Philadelphia airport. Waiting to greet her with my brokeass, obnoxious, hot pink, butterfly sticker-covered, homemade sign that read "Welcome to Pennsylvania, Aleisha!"
Steve taped it all.
And even snuck an extra minute of me anxiously standing and pacing as we waited for her.
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And on Thursday night, exactly 365 days after being sent those kind words from Aleisha,
I was standing in the Philadelphia airport. Waiting to greet her with my brokeass, obnoxious, hot pink, butterfly sticker-covered, homemade sign that read "Welcome to Pennsylvania, Aleisha!"
Steve taped it all.
And even snuck an extra minute of me anxiously standing and pacing as we waited for her.
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Just five months prior, in March, I flew to Utah to meet her for the first time.
We screamed, hugged, and jumped up and down the instant we saw one another.
Isn't her sign so much cuter than mine?!
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Visiting Aleisha and her family was one of the greatest highlights of my year.
They made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I learned so much from that entire experience.
It is one I carry so deep in my heart and think of often.
So, when I saw her unmistakably beautiful red hair through all the people trying to make their way through the door Thursday night,
I ran straight to her and did the same as in Utah - hugged and screamed and laughed and smiled!
She was here!!
And I couldn't wait to share the next few days together.
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Almost forgetting her luggage from all the excitement, we ran to find it and quickly headed to the parking garage.
Steve was our chauffeur and tour guide, as we sat in the back
learning about Philadelphia.
Hey, I know nothing about the city. I'm not kidding.
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We decided Pat's Cheesesteaks had to be her first food destination.
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We sat outside in the muggy air, well past midnight and ate our cheesesteaks "wit wiz" and cackled at inside jokes. I remember sitting there thinking how awesome it all was. How awesome she is. How effortlessly she eased into a late night with Steve and I after such a long day of flying and saying goodbye to her husband and children.
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I remember it really hitting me she was here, once we arrived home.
Twinkie was there to greet her.
And follow her around for the rest of her stay.
Meowing at her, hoping she'd feed him infinite treats.
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I remember feeling so grateful to my friends and family for making her feel so welcome.
We visited with Kelly, Addison, and Daxon. (Chloe was asleep.)
Addison told us the tale of Sleeping Beauty and drew us pictures of Olympic divers and butterflies to take home with us.
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And made sure to capture it all.
She is becoming a pro with my camera.
Thanks for the cute pic, Addison!
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I remember making a quick stop at Taco Bell.
And everyone looking at us because we were super mucho dressed up for a Friday lunch at the finest restaurant in town.
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I remember the look on Aleisha's face when I took her to Charming Charlie's.
I remember ooo'ing and ahh'ing over at least 200 different pieces before we each decided on a few favorites.
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I remember heading over to Jessica's house and sharing lots of laughs until almost one in the morning.
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I remember watching Aleisha take in our town and so genuinely loving it.
And giving thanks to Jessica who also made a much better tour guide than I ever would.
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I love this photo. Thank you, Jessica.
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I remember a girl's night including 3 amazing pasta dishes and a cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich.
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I remember waking up Saturday and taking it easy.
And taking a nap.
Aleisha was feeling the effects of her flights. The insane humidity decided to show up just in time for her.
Utah heat = dry. Pennsylvania heat = fry.
I was feeling nauseous (Yes, the queasiness has begun, but that's not for this post). Not to mention, I woke up with a swollen and mysterious "Shrek eye" that has since gone away.
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I remember stopping on the side of the road so Aleisha could take pictures of "all the green" and the "huge sky with no mountains."
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I remember the animated welcome we received from Kelly. And the giant Belgium waffles we ordered and ate over lots of loud, hysterical conversation.
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I love this picture too. Thank you, Kelly!
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I remember being thankful for the perfect weather that showed up just in time for our scenic drive through Lancaster.
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Aleisha was hopin' and prayin' to see a real live Amish person and a horse n' buggy or two.
Her wish was granted.
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I remember pulling over and taking in the beauty and peace of early evening in the country
alongside my friend.
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I remember climbing in the field with Aleisha and feeling so thankful and calm in that very moment.
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No, I'm not going to the bathroom in the field.
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I remember spending over an hour in the Shady Maple gift shop. Trying on funny t-shirts and hats.
Checking out all the homemade goods.
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And finding a sweet little something to take home.
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I remember being happy my brother got a last minute gig so Aleisha could hear him play and sing.
And meet my family.
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I remember being not so happy, as I squeezed the ever lovin' out of Aleisha's leg
when the creepy, drunk man came to our table and started eating our nachos.
And snort laughing at her and my mom's commentary on it all.
I remember a late night in the parking lot yapping with my mom as the mosquitoes bit our ankles.
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I remember not being able to say good night. As we stood in the hallway talking. Tired, but not wanting the last night to come to an end.
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I remember heading next door to my friend, Stephanie's, house to celebrate her soon to be little babes that will be making their way into the world this October.
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I remember Steve taking a drive through Valley Forge Park.
And watching as Aleisha snapped photos.
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I remember knowing we only had an hour left before we had to say goodbye.
And trying to fight back the tears.
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I remember us crying instantly
when we got to her gate.
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We were kinda joking here. But we didn't look much different than this.
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It's so hard to say goodbye when you know the distance that separates you.
When you're unsure of when you'll see each other again.
When you know how much beauty that person brings to your life.
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I walked away, sniffling.
Telling Steve how badly I'm going to miss her,
as we waited for her to look up so we could wave goodbye one more time.
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And then I remembered how lucky Aleisha and I both were to have had this opportunity once again.
I remembered that though we will miss one another greatly, we will see each other again.
We are forever friends.
I remembered just how blessed I really was in that exact moment.
I thought about that post she commented on last year and where I was now.
What a difference a year makes couldn't have rang more true.
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We all want answers at one time or another.
We all feel the need to know when, why, and how sometimes.
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But sometimes...
Sometimes, things just make sense without question.
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This friend of mine was placed in my life for a reason.
And this I know is true.
<3<3<3
Thank you for everything, Aleisha.
I love you.
<3<3<3<3<3
I'll be back on Thursday with an update after our appointment.
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Aleisha Lovin',
what a cute and "sweet" post!!
i read your intro about getting through your days ups and downs with diet coke! love it!...diet coke is my vice...idk what i'd do without it some days.
your family is beautiful!
i look forward to following! :)
wishing you a wonderful weekend!