July 2003

Recently I was invited to attend my friend Kristin's wedding in Annapolis. Kristin and I met in the summer of 2003 in the beloved month of July at Rockbridge when we were on Summer Staff together. Kristin, Jessica, and I shared a room for the four weeks and at most times were in a complete fit of giggles- to prove it, Jessica has most of it documented on her video camera. Last summer the three of us met up for a girls trip in Vegas, and the laughter continued! I was amazed then, much like I am now the way some friends are placed in our lives. Three of us, whom have never lived in the same town, gone to the same school, or been active in each others lives in an every day sense have maintained special friendships with each other in the past five years. Kristin and I don't keep in touch regularly, but I do appreciate notes I get in the mail and random emails catching up on life. Distance is hard to fight in friendships, and sometimes I worry about what is going to happen with those I am closest to right now when the time comes for one or both of us to move away.

Having had more then one Summer Staff experience, its easy to want to compare them to eachother, and pick favorites. Truth of the matter is, the month of July that summer has made a significant impact on my life in more ways then just one. It was when I moved to Virginia not having much of a plan leaving Connecticut, was my introduction to Rockbridge, and it is where I consequently made my home for four years on Staff- having fallen in love with Property Staff while in the Bakery. This has since happened to three other former Bakery Summer Staffers since my month in '03. It is a magical place. Hah.

In all seriousness, when I think of people that I share my life with, people that I am honest, vulnerable, and truly myself around a few very special ones come to mind. Among them are, Matty, Jules, and Jessica. All three people that I see on a regular basis (even with the five hour drive between the girls and I), and have consistantly known through the years. When Matt and I went to Julie's wedding two years ago we were both so grateful for the way our lives were woven together, and how the Lord blessed us continuing friendships in the distance. Jessica and I felt very much the same way this past weekend at Kristin's wedding. I can't imagine my life without the support of these three friends, and I can't believe it has been five years since we were serving along side each other at camp for a month. My friendships with Matt and Julie did not form closely out of those weeks together, but in the time after with a road trip to visit KY with Matt, and then with weekends at camp when Matt would work in the Kitchen.

I find myself today still thankful for the weekend in Annapolis and to be part of such an important day in Kristin's life, along side Jessica whom I treasure. Returning home, we stopped at the Waffle House and met up with Tex and Matty. There was a moment in the midst of catching up about the weekend Jessica and I spent away, that I just felt my heart swell. Four people sat at that table. Three people I did not know before I moved to Virginia, two of which were part of the beginning of that journey for me. The other while did not know Jessica in college, both attended UK and are from the same area I frequently visit. The strange circle and coincidences captivated my heart and for that moment I was only thankful for the decision five years ago to quit a job, not have a plan, move somewhere I didn't know, trust the Lord completely, and see what happened.

Sound familiar?