I Don't Believe in Coincidences

Being at the right place at just the right time.. possibly. Predestined lives.. maybe. But pure coincidence no way. This past weekend we took a trip to be a part of something I had no idea I would get to experience. I happen to be married to someone who I love to my deepest core, but would never understand until I had it. Not like the movies love because they never truly show all the facets there are. But an immeasurable love. Much like the love of a child..but I am drifting to an entire topic of it's own. So back to this love.. Since we have it and hold it so very close to our hearts, the husband and I love nothing more than for everyone to find that sort of love. Specifically those we cherish.

This is how it started: I got a text from a person who I share this crazy easy bond with. Someone who has a light that has always been a part of my life.. near and very far but always there. This lady has overcome the world.. you name it.. she has conquered it. It was time this friend found her match. I had known this man she spoke of was different. Her voice was different, her decisions seemed different, her whole being seemed different. And if you asked me what different meant, I would never be able to describe. Mind you, I have never ever met this man before. For me, I always try to give the benefit of the doubt in every single relationship. There is a reason I am with who I am with and others chose their companions... period. Sometimes I understand the match and sometimes I will never know why on earth two individuals are together. But there again, anyone in the world could peek into my life and think the exact same.. the bottom line is I know without a doubt. So the text came through about a month ago. My friend had decided to take the plunge. They decided they wanted to be married and would be doing it in aprox 3-4 weeks. I immediately felt the need to be there. Even if no one else showed up, I wanted to be there. But the magic begun here. I looked at my husband who was traveling the whole month of August and told him my sweet friend will be getting married and here is the date. Without even flinching, asking when, where, what.. he said we will be there. I was a little confused at his reaction myself because he wasn't even checking his calendar. But just that little action and how well him and I are connected I knew he felt it too. We HAD to be there.

Flying in we had no idea what to expect and that was actually a breathe of fresh air. We were just playing it by ear.. whatever the plans we were there. So as we were awaiting the night time plans, visiting with another dear friend the soon to be bride and groom swooped in quickly before getting their kids settled. One quick hello and I knew this was going to be good. The night before the big day came and went.. people celebrated with them, drinks were flowing. My favorite part was that we were the last 4 standing, (or kind of standing at this point) having breakfast at 2am in a Denny's without a care in the world other than sharing that delicious grease with these two people. After spending just a short couple of hours I got "them". Their perfectly imperfect bond that will hold them until the end.

The next day it's wedding time.. feeling the affects of the previous evening.. but making a decision that I will overcome with a little caffeine and food. And it's time. We are heading to the venue they have picked, in a bus filled with a small, very random group of individuals and I just looked around and felt pure happiness in this little bus. As we walk into this cool little eclectic art studio it began. These feelings of magic and just plain love. The love between the people gathered, the love for my friend, and just different families gathered to watch this family become one unit. I have never been to a wedding and felt that. Mostly because they are normally big weddings, you talk to the people you know and there are so many people gathered you miss a lot of the intimate details. Everything felt so casual, no rushing around, no stressful time crunches, just doing their thing. At last, the ceremony begins. I had offered to video because I knew they needed this moment captured on tape. I am so glad I did. I stood behind watching this family up there in the most perfect lighting, uniting with their 3 girls standing next to them thru this camera lens...incredible. The tears just began falling.. I could not stop them. I looked over at my husband sitting in the front row all by himself literally and fell in love all over again. After peeling my eyes off of him, I looked around the room and it seems I wasn't the only one that was completely touched by this love. From where I was standing there was a whole lot of emotion. I loved everything about these 48 hours of magic. The love shared, the memories made, the bonds tightened, this was definitely no coincidence. We were meant to be in that very moment no doubt.. for them, for us and every glimpse of hope that pure love is alive and well.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. and thank you for more than you might ever know.

The Time has Come

It is officially time. My dream of creating the gear side of LL has come to fruition. Everything coming together and the momentum is building. When I began this journey with the husband in the fishing industry my intentions were to eventually design outdoor gear for the company. I love cool outdoorsy, work out, comfy clothes that have flare. I have always wanted to design a line with our brand. And now the stars have begun to align, the name has made its way out there and it is time. I have never been so excited, inspired, passion driven and ready than I am now. After going back and forth about being a working mom, not working, starting a new career, staying where I'm at, I have arrived at my answer. Or maybe the answer smacked me right across the face. Its funny how when you pay attention, the indications or signs of where you are supposed to be start to appear everywhere! Well you don't have to tell/show me twice, specifically about this dream I have had for years. So now.. where to begin, how to begin, what to begin. And the answers start flowing right back to me. The divine connection of our current partners who play a huge role in our lives now, happen to be married to 2 people that are quickly becoming my most favorite people ever. These two women and I have decided to take on this venture together. Nothing could possibly make me more happy than to have the wives of LL coming together to create something that is OURS! And the work begins. We had our first non official brainstorming session yesterday and we decided on a basic direction. We were missing one of our "partners" for this sesh so we will get her caught up and feed back and onward we will move. Ideas, brainstorming, notes, and our side notes of course because we are ladies gathering trying to stay on one subject is just impossible! And here we are again, the beginning of another journey, the one I have been waiting for. Bring on the work load, pile on the busy, walls don't stand a chance, obstacles I know you are out there but have no doubt you will be conquered. Much more to come on this fantastic opportunity..