This collage really has nothing to do with anything, except that belly buttons and Micah are pretty cute, especially when they are in the same photo.

The night of Valentines Day, we took Micah out to dinner at Red Robin, and on our way out of the restaurant, we ran into Eric’s brother and his fiancé in the parking lot. There was a moment of surprise, then a moment of awkwardness: it was freezing outside and even though it was fun to say hello, we were both on “dates.” I wanted to run to the car to get warm, and yet I felt like I should chat, at the same time feeling like a date intruder, and I’m sure they were freezing and wanting to eat. Awkward turtle. What are the odds, though, seriously?

*****

Well the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. I told Laurel and Tara my most embarrassing fifth grade moment at the retreat this past weekend, so I might as well tell the whole world. Just… get it off my chest. I’ll feel better. Or you will laugh, either way, someone will get a kick out of this.

The scene: fifth grade gym class role call. I’m sitting in a row next to a classmate, talking about fifth grade stuff. I have no idea what we were talking about…. all I know is I was innocently, absentmindedly “walking” my fingers across my leg while I was talking.

And yes, I was a little quirky, I guess. Finger walking – is that a common habit? I don’t know. Then my awkward fingers just kept on walking and crossed the leg bridge without me noticing. They crossed that bridge into total fifth grade humiliation.

I think I made it  halfway up her leg before we both realized what just happened and locked eyes. It was this horrible moment in which I turned beet red and she screeched “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY LEG?” loud enough that everyone in the whole gym, including all of the teachers heard it. Well I don’t know who heard it, but my fifth grade self was convinced that everyone saw and knew what was going on – that I was perverted and I was TOUCHING this poor girls thigh.

I don’t even remember what happened after that. I think I blacked out from embarrassment.

*****

When I was in high school, I went to a party – I think it was for youth group or something. I was just hanging out with my friends when this girl showed up. I had never met her before, but I remember thinking, ‘this girl is really beautiful.’ I can’t even remember what she looked like, and I’m not convinced it was her outward appearance I was noticing. What I do remember is that she walked up with a smile to my group and asked, enthusiastically, “would you guys like to come pray with me?” I think if I asked people this question, it would come across really out of place, but when this girl asked with such a big smile and genuine interest, who could say no? We didn’t…. we followed her into the house and made a little circle on the floor in the living room. And then, some of us being strangers, began to share our lives and lift each other up in prayer. And it lasted… a long time… we continued to pray. It was powerful, and moving, and one of the most memorable experiences of that part of my life. I will never forget that girl’s boldness and excitement about prayer. It is something I want to strive for – 10 years later. She was just a teen, but wise beyond her years. And her love for Jesus made her so beautiful. I wish I knew who she was so I could thank her today.