We met at a wedding...

No not my husband. This is where I met my good friend Mary. And we really did meet at a wedding.  Here is our story...
----

My friend Jenn was getting married. I was helping with the guest book. Life with a small child sometimes requires you to take a seat in the back of the church. Tessa persistently poked and prodded the gentleman in front of us. I always apologize when she is doing this. He turned around and said "oh don't worry, we have a six month old at home". The wedding was beautiful. We headed to the reception. As any mom does, we grabbed a high chair and sat in the way back of the reception hall. The hall started to fill up. The same couple that happened to sit in front of us at the church sat down at the table next to my mom.

My mom. She loves to talk to anyone. She struck up a conversation with the couple. (90% of the time we find out we are related or know someone they are related to. It comes from being in a small town I guess, but I digress) She asked them about their child, how they knew Jenn and Mike. And where they were from. Pleasant Hill. They lived in the town next to her daugher. Wow what a concidense! My mom encouraged the other woman and I to start talking. We shared a little more small talk before heading to grab some food. We chatted some more about kids, life in the metro, and everything in between. By the end of the night Mary and I had exchanged phone numbers.

I didn't think she would call and I was too chicken to reach out. I was like that. Afraid to step outside of the comfort zone box. But a few days after Jenn's wedding I got a text message. It was Mary. We decided to meet for dinner and I would go with her to a Mary Kay event. I was nervous. I had a billion things running through my head. We had a great time. Not sure what I was so nervous about.

I learned a lot about Mary in the first few weeks and months after we met. She was someone I could sit and talk with about anything. She was geniune and honest and one of the truest woman I had ever met. She had followed her heart and done what she felt was best after her son was born. She was (and still is) a bright shining light of everything she believes in. She is one of the woman that inspired me to be a better follower of Christ. She inspired me to listen closer to my heart and see what is in store for me.  She inspired me to step outside of my box and trust that everything will be ok. Have faith.

Mary and I tried to get together as much as our busy schedules would allow. We would often see each other about once a month if less. But her family was never far from my thoughts and prayers. Nor was her inspiration and light far when I needed it.

Tomorrow Mary will be moving across the state to a new home where her husband has accepted a job offer. I will admit I cried a little when I found out she was moving. It is hard to have a friend (even though we hardly see each other) move so far away. I am so happy that her prayers have been answered for her and her family. And happy that she is able to extend her reach to others. Who knows, maybe she will meet a new friend and inspire someone else to change their life.

I believe that certain people are put in your life for a reason. I don't believe that it was by chance that Jon and Mary sat in front of us at the church, and then again at our table (WAY in the back of the reception hall). Fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it, brought us together, maybe to make me a stronger person.  Mary has shown me what true faith and fellowship with Christ is all about.

Mary. I am going to miss you. But I know you are never far away. I am so thankful for our chance encounter at a wedding far from home. My life has truly been changed for the better because of you. Your light shines brighter than you can imagine. Keep shining.