I GOT SCHOOLED

After a couple months of total hibernation, I was invited out by a small group of friends to join the Downtown Wilmington festivities of coffee, art, and music. Naturally, it was a no-brainer to arrange my schedule and be there. The plan was to meet at 10am for the carpool line-up and then we were off into the world. As the event grew closer, I learned more and more friends who were planning on attending, no longer could. By the morning of, my husband and I were to be joined by only two couples. An hour before meet-up, we went down to one couple. "Bailing" is not foreign to me as I once lived that wobbley life of "super excited in the moment!", only to be bored, "over it", or have completely moved on when the time came. I do not fail to meet my commitments anymore, but I am often surrounded by those that do. Some days I grow frustrated, while other days, I simply enjoy the tranquility and peace that comes with alone time. Yesterday morning, however, played out much different.

With my husband home and cabin fever running in our veins, we knew that we were driving that hour into town, no matter what. About 25 minutes before 10am, I couldn't help but noticed that I had yet to hear from the coordinator of the group. I texted and messaged, but yet, silence. Instead of calling, I quickly made a judgement and assumed that she too, along with the others, belonged in the "last minute bail" pile. Oh, how wrong was I.

By 9:45am, my phone was a buzz. She was up and properly getting ready. Again, I dismissed, thinking the impossible of one gathering themselves together in 15 minutes. My husband and I hit the road and wondered if we'd maybe see them there later. Half way down the highway...at EXACTLY 10am, I received a text that read, "on our way." My mind was blown. She had kept her word.

We spent that afternoon on a double date and having an absolute BLAST. We giggled and made jokes about my lack of trust, but I wasn't laughing inside. After apologizing to my dear friend, I couldn't help but see the lesson here. Not everyone is the same, even if they are the same age. Assumptions and judgments get you nowhere fast. I preach it daily during my counseling sessions, but this past weekend I caught myself red-handed not practicing my own advice. I looked at my friend and smiled...."you schooled me today!" <3 So grateful for her and our magical day on the water.