So we all remember my awesome friend Jen, right? She is a great fine artist living in Ottawa (you can find her website here), and she was responsible for sending me the Double Rainbow shirt of awesomeness. Well, today is her birthday, and it’s a milestone day. Happy Birthday Jen!
A few months ago, her husband Jeremy contacted me. He wanted to do something big for Jen, and he asked me: “What’s the possibility of you being in the Southern Ontario region around the time of Jen’s birthday?”. He knows that Jen and I hadn’t seen each other in forever, and what a great surprise it would be if we could reunite. After discussing the details, it was decided that I would go to Ottawa directly for her birthday weekend and surprise her. There wasn’t much convincing needed- I love surprises, and this one would be epic! You see, I hadn’t seen Jen in about 7 or 8 years, so the trip would be a great surprise for both her and me. We went to the same elementary and high schools, and we both attended The University of Guelph. There would be much catching up to do, lots of hijinks, and many hours of reminiscing.
I arrived in Ottawa on Saturday morning and Jeremy was there to greet me. After a quick stop to pick up some flowers, we were off to their house where Jen was waiting. Seven years was definitely far too long. When she came around the corner and saw me standing in the foyer, we immediately hugged. And I’m not going to lie: it was an emotional scene with laughs, expressions of disbelief, many hugs, and happy tears. An epic weekend followed from there. We all talked into the wee hours of the night, shared some great meals and stories, and just enjoyed our time together.
The thing is, Jen and I are different people now, and yet everything felt the same between us. We would talk for hours in elementary school, and we talked for hours this weekend. Sometimes time doesn’t change the fundamentals of who people are, but instead crystallizes them to who they’ve always been. A lot of time had passed. Jen and I are more mature and incredibly silly at the same time. We made similar kinds of jokes that were familiar to us, and found ourselves in shenanigans that we missed.
Thank you, Jeremy, for orchestrating such a wonderful surprise, and thanks for a fantastic weekend. Jen, you are one of my oldest and closest friends, and spending the time together was priceless. I miss you already! Let’s not wait another 7 years to see each other again, Mmkay? 🙂
HIKES & HAMSTRINGS 
“Sometimes time doesn’t change the fundamentals of who people are, but instead crystallizes them to who they’ve always been.”I love those friends who, even though you haven’t seen them in years, feel like you’ve never been apart when you reunite. What an awesome birthday treat! Happy birthday, Jen!
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Oh dear, I’m afraid I’m crying again! Thank you, Rick for coming all the way to the ‘wa to surprise a silly woman on her 30th. The whole time, I could hardly believe you were actually here! Your visit was one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received, and I will remember it always. And if I get forgetful, there is a whole catalogue of pictures to remind me! (I think the one in the water, I was attempting some sort of karate kid/tai chi kind of thing there – “tree falling in the woods, tree falling in the woods bamboo flute flourish”)And I think the garlic bread picture may just become the source of a new painting 😉 Your expression reflected in the toaster is begging to be captured in oils!I can’t thank you and Jeremy enough for the best birthday I’ve ever had. You’ve expressed it here far better than I ever could what it was like to see you again, my dear friend, after all this time. Definitely not another 7 years!
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. . . and thank you, Dr. Beth, for the birthday wishes!
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Happy birthday Jen. Welcome to the 30+ club. Despite what people might believe or tell you, 30 does not mean you have to be mature :)I love your reflection in the toaster, Rick. You look like a giant dork. Which basically means it’s an accurate representation. Oh snap!Beth – I was going to comment on the exact same quote. Classic! A perfect quote Rick. Well done sir.
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Jen, for the photo of you in the water, “I am the Lizard Queen!” kept coming to mind, but I guess the karate kid/tai chi works well too :). And as for capturing the toaster photo in oils- I agree wholeheartedly! I’m so glad that you enjoyed your birthday :).As for the quote- I will have to give credit to Jen for that one. During one of our epic talks, she was mentioning something about personalities crystallizing over time. She’s wise that way :), and I just paraphrased, lol.
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