How did "this" happen?

Well, besides the obvious of it not being anything a human could have planned, I figured maybe telling the "whole" story would be a fun second post about my trip. (Since, I am sure there are SOME people who actually are curious about the "earthly details" that allowed this to happen!) Believe me, I am still pinching myself that it actually occurred, even though I even have pictures to prove it really happened!

So, back in December, I wrote a post about Poppy Joy. I think it has a pretty good explanation about how I came to find "the Atlanta Eight"...or, how they were "brought" to me. For "whatever reason", I ended up talking to Kristy more than any of the other girls. We emailed, talked on facebook, and even texted every once in a while. Over time, although not TOO much time, I came to consider her a "friend", albeit a friend found in an "unconventional" manner (although, much more "conventional" in this day and age!) While I "vaguely" recall reading about her friends "Greg and Ginger", possibly from this post or this one, I didn't really give that much thought since it wasn't until later that I became a "regular reader" of Kristy's blog.

Then, in early February, I received an email from Laurie in Ca. She had been reading my blog for about a year at that point and is a "prayer warrior" for SO many people, myself included :o) Ginger had emailed Laurie regarding a gift she wanted to give to the Bolte's for Asher's First Birthday that was coming up on the 22nd. She asked Laurie if she would be willing to contact some of Kristy's friends to let them know in case they wanted to help. I, of course, was thrilled that Laurie included me and let Ginger know that I could help by "facebook messaging" some of Kristy's friends (I actually got a notice from the facebook folks since they considered what I was doing as potential spam...funny!) to let them know what she was organizing. I knew that since Ginger was doing something SO sweet for her friends that I would really like her. However, since the whole thing was a surprise, it would have been pretty obvious that something was up had we become "facebook friends" at that point, but we agreed that once the secret was out, this would be a "must" :o)

And so, the "facebook chatting" began, and we never seemed to run out of things to talk about. One night (April 8 if you want to get "technical") we were chatting into the wee hours as had become "typical" when I didn't have to work the next day :o) She was looking at plane tickets to Ireland, and "some how" the conversation turned from a nice vacation with her husband overseas to a girls' weekend with me...go figure! And, the reason I know the date of this particular "conversation" is that I felt the need to actually talk to her on the telephone (you know, to make sure she was "real"...ha ha!) which was nearly an hour long and was noted on my cell phone bill :o)

The rest, they say, is history...and we spent the next seven weeks planning our "getaway" that took place this past weekend. No worries, I WILL post a little more about this weekend even though we have not pooled all our pictures together yet. Now, I am not sure how Ginger's version of the story would compare to mine, but this is how I remember it all coming together...
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Tonight, my friend from Curves asked me if I was nervous before I went. She said I didn't really act like it, but "yes", I most certainly had some jitters and was quite anxious at times. I had expressed those feelings to Ginger during multiple conversations to which she mostly laughed (because, I suppose you never would really think about someone being scared to meet you in person!) And, I think we were able to tackle lots of different topics this way and typing sure takes away some of the awkwardness of fumbling through a conversation with someone you have just met. You have a little bit of time to formulate responses, and it is easy to change topics. Of course, I suppose that "time" could make it easier to say things that are not true, but really, what would be the point of that?

Even after our trip was planned, there were little things that happened to solidify my belief that I REALLY would get along with Ginger "in real life". Little things that had me thinking that they were SO things that I would do, which definitely helped with my nerves!

Once I was on the plane, I was more excited (and tired!) than anxious. She and Lauren had to wait for me for an hour, so I definitely did not expect to see them as soon as I exited the plane. What a pleasant surprise! (In a text message shortly before that, I said that I hoped I would recognize them...[joking of course since OBVIOUSLY I had seen photos!]...I noticed them right away, and we greeted each other with the big hug I felt like I had waited FOREVER to give!)

After grabbing our luggage, we hopped the train and headed to the hotel. When we discovered that ALL of us have a little "quirk" that requires us to eat breakfast food prior to having lunch, I was instantly free of any leftover uncertainties about the decision to meet up with someone I "met on the internet". We found our traveling styles to be more than compatible, with personalities that blended perfectly to create a weekend to remember. No cattiness, no uncomfortable conversations, no "drama" (at least none between the three of us!)...all of us willing to "go with the flow", but not to the point of being unable to make decisions...simply PERFECT!

There were things that happened that do not translate well when shared with someone who was not there. Things like herding pigeons, frost bitten tongues, the water tower ghost, and cold feet are all kind of "had to be there" moments, no matter how many details you try to give...and, of course, there are also moments that are "ours" and ours alone...

And then, there were things that only God could have done. Like, planning to come back to the Art museum when it was free and then being stopped by a woman who "happened" to have a pass that would allow three more people in for free right then. Or, the fact that I somehow "forgot" to bring a long-sleeved shirt even though I was going to a mid-western city in MAY and then found the shirt I am wearing in this photo for less than $10. I picked it up off the rack and Ginger noted the brand right away..."dandelion white"...(dandelions are VERY special to Kristy and "White" is her maiden name...seriously!) And then, to get back to the hotel and have it fit PERFECTLY is almost beyond comprehension...

I am sure there are more stories that could be shared, but I want to give Ginger a chance to tell her version of the story as well :o) And, how about that the newest Bolte Baby, Miss Hope Amelia waited until we were back from our trip to be born on Ginger's birthday?!

I had to leave early in order to be home for my sister's baby shower. I was told more than once that it just was not the same without me there...I do not have words to describe how that makes me feel inside... I definitely think this will be the first of many "visits"...her daughter even referred to me as one of her "bestest friends"...and what could be sweeter than that?!

(Ginger...this picture is for you...quite the transformation from how I left you, don't you think?!)

Well, I think I probably should end this story for now...if I think of anything more to share, I definitely will (and, if I end up making a slide show, I will do that too!)

Happy Birthday Ginger, and Happy Birthday Hope!
Good night.