Race Schedule and Results

Friday, July 22, 2011

Someone special


I received this in the mail the other day -  a custom made necklace from a lady in Washington.  It had a note that said it was from a dear friend of mine and had been made for me with love.

It couldn't have come at a better time.  Tom and I have had a really horrible week and too many days were spent crying.  I saw this and just smiled.  I knew who it was from...

I think sometimes in life, someone special enters your life for one reason or another and they leave their mark forever.  It might not happen often (if just once, you're blessed) and the answer to "why" this person was put in your life may never be known, but you know when it happens, and know enough to not ask they "why" - it doesn't matter.

When I found out that I was on Team Trakkers, I was super excited for many reasons - I'm on a kick butt team, with 41 teammates, awesome sponsors, great races.  But never in a million years did I think that I would meet some of the best friends that I could have ever imagined.

And one of them in particular has already left her mark...

She and I clicked from the start.  Conversation came easy and our goals were so similar.  We emailed a lot about uniform sizes, bike sizes, which shoes we both were going to order - I swear we were the same on everything.  Soon we exchanged phone numbers so that we could talk for 45 minutes at a time about the season, the team, again our goals, etc.  But then those conversations grew, not only in duration, but also in content - I got to know more about her life, her family, her career, her dreams.  And she got to know more about mine.  She lives 500 miles away, but we have always been just a phone call away.

We finally met in Knoxville.  It was our first race together.  I could pick her out of a crowd.  We hugged like we had known each other for years and were reuniting after a long break.  We carried on as if we had been part of each others lives for decades... when in fact it had only been months.  Our husbands, God bless them, just shook their heads.  I know they were both thinking "oh boy... here's trouble".

People said we looked alike.  We got more "are you twins" and "are you sisters" questions in Knoxville than we could have imagined.  We even had teammates yelling my name as she ran by, thinking they were yelling for me.  Maybe we really were separated at birth like I always joked. I mean, her love for buckeye bars, the white gummy bears and baked cheetos was enough to convince me that we share the same brain cells!

This person, who I met via email a mere 7 months ago, has come into my life, touched my heart, and taught me so much.  Through her, I've learned that under no circumstance should there be judgements in friendship.  Jealousy and competitiveness aren't words that would ever cross my mind when thinking about her.  Support is a given, not a hope.  Laughing should be part of every conversation and the term "I love you" isn't for people who have known each other "x" number of years.  I can have a bad day and she senses it.  She needs someone to talk to, I sense it.  I feel like we've been through so much together... albeit 500 miles apart.

She gets me.  I get her.  And I'll forever be thankful that that special someone has entered my life, leaving her mark.

And if she reads this (which I'm sure she will) I hope she knows how lucky I am to have her in my life, and to call her my friend. I'll never ask "why", because it really doesn't matter...

27 comments:

Unknown said...

So sweet. You guys ARE like two peas in a pod and I'm glad Trakkers brought you together...

Wes said...

like! I love my friends....

Emz said...

I. Love. This.

It's the little things. Seriously. You are lucky--well blessed to have such a kind friend. The. Best. Ever.

Kristin Bradfield said...

Friendship is incredible, it's so nice to hear about one like this.

Chris K said...

Now that was a heartfelt post. Reminds me of Kovas and me :-)

BTW, aren't you the one who started that whole Q & A thing? You are now a Blogging Legend.

Caroline said...

collen this is beautiful and friendship are so important. I value mine so much. I am so sorry you guys had a difficult week, I hope things are better now and no more tears for you dear.

Teamarcia said...

You are so blessed to have a great friend like that! Hope this is a bright ending to a tough week

Shannon (IronTexasMommy) said...

Awesome post. Special friends are hard to come by- cherish them always! :)

Jennie said...

It sounds like perfect timing. Yay for good friends! I'm so sorry to hear that you guys had such a tough week. I hope things just get better and better.

Anne-Marie said...

This is a really sweet post! We are so lucky to have those kinds of people in our lives.

Here's to a better weekend! :)

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

Special

Aimee said...

Aww..I loved this post! That is so awesome to have such a great friendship like that!

Unknown said...

How could we live without relationships like this? This post made me tear up because I know what it feels like to have that kind of person in our lives and also how important it is. :)

Caratunk Girl said...

So awesome.

That just rocks. So cool that Trakkers brought you guys together!! :)

Heather said...

What an awesome friend. I'm sure she feels exactly the same way about you.

Thanks for commenting on my blog! Can't wait to read more of yours!

Coy Martinez said...

That was so beautiful! It's so great to have that someone!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a touching story and a reminder that perhaps I need to buy a little something special for my special someone. The "not a holiday" gift for no reason is the best gift! Your team love you!

Molly said...

How great that you have such a special connection, the necklace is so pretty too.

hope you're feeling better about things....

Heather-O said...

That's awesome...thanks for sharing such a special story. Sorry to hear you are having such a rough week. I hope things get better for you soon.

Alili said...

What a beautiful story - those relationships are so important. I hope things are looking up!

Michelle said...

How lovely ... thinking of you!

MissFancyPants said...

Such an awesome story! Thanks for sharing!! :)

Ironman By Thirty said...

So awesome. What an awesome friend.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I like this post, great friendship are hard to find

Richelle said...

You are so blessed to have a friendship like this!

Lisa said...

What a gift in that friendship :)

Jamie said...

Awwww. You two are a-dorable. Horray for Trakkers Friends!