A Trio of Fun
Last summer I walked into REI in Brentwood on a mission. I needed a bag for travel. It could be a sling bag, a glorified fanny pack (the kind that you wear on your back or front side), a backpack or a cross-body bag. When I travel, I usually carry ID and valuables on my body and a backpack for everything else: books, a jacket, meds, power cord, snacks, maybe a swimsuit if I’m headed for the beach. I’ve had the same L.L. Bean backpack for over ten years-and love it for its versatility, lightness, and ability to be slung over my back with ease.
I could utilize this same system, however, I didn’t have a crossbody bag that would work and as I researched it became clear I might need something with RFID technology.
So the hunt began.
I had been everywhere you could imagine-every giant store, smaller stores, resale, and outdoor stores. I had looked online and proceeded to order and return at least 12 bags. I wanted something I didn’t have to think about and that I loved.
REI usually has some sort of answer. In addition to the bag, I was checking out hats, too. (note: the hats never made me happy, so I took a baseball cap which I loved!)
Wandering around the small luggage section and the cross-body bag section a lovely woman who worked at REI asked if she could help me. I sighed. “If you could, I would be so happy,” and proceeded to explain what I was doing.
Betsy then offered many suggestions including what she carried when traveling. We tried on a few-and just like Goldilocks, some were too big, some too small, some too tight, some too…just no.
I thanked Betsy and proceeded to continue my hunt.
The next month, having ordered and returned from a few places including REI, I met Betsy again in the same place. We smiled when we saw each other and she asked me more about myself, including what I did. Explaining that I am a writer, and a podcast host, she asked for my website
(https://www.stlouisgirlstorytelling.com) and said she would love to listen. Then she asked if I would ever want to get together for coffee.
Sure! We exchanged emails and began emailing. It was about this time that I went back into REI and Betsy shared that she had listened to a few podcasts and that she really liked them. She focused on my curiosity and how the guests seemed relaxed and open. I appreciated the feedback and once again we looked at a few bag options.
In November Betsy and I met at The Wolf in Ballwin and had a great afternoon. She loved getting out of her neighborhood and I was happy to introduce her to one of my favorite places. She was smart enough to grab a piece of flourless chocolate cake that day and texted that it was delicious. (it took me months to try it-that’s another blog!) I also updated her on my bag adventure: I finally settled on a PacSafe cross-body bag and my trusty L.L. Bean backpack. It worked and, in every picture, you can see my crossbody bag hanging across me!
The next time Betsy and I planned to get together in February on a Sunday, my friend Terry texted to see if I wanted to go with her to Defiance Ridge Wineries to listen and dance with Anita Rosamond, a local legend in the music scene. Yes, please!
Terry and I met through Life Time, sometimes taking classes together and had been connecting more often. She is one of the sweetest, most caring people you will ever have the privilege of meeting. She is also open to plans being flexible, including others when possible and a great dancer!
I texted Betsy to see if she would like to join friends that were going to the wineries.
She did.
We both met Terry at the outlet mall and drove together that Sunday.
And that’s when the magic happened.
You never know what’s going to happen when you include, invite, and merge friends.
In addition, Terry had invited us to join a group of her friends which made the day even more festive.
And the band! Anita Rosamond and her band ROCKS!!!
There was dancing, lunching, laughing, and chatting and more dancing and singing.
We were having one of the best afternoons I could remember. While most of us danced, Betsy chose to stay at the table even when we beckoned her to the dance floor. She seemed happy enough and we were definitely happy.
After that you couldn’t keep us away from each other. We were like ten-year-olds who had found lifelong soul sisters. Any chance we could get we worked around Betsy’s work schedule, Terry’s schedule with grandkids and my work schedule, we spent time together.
Often with music and always with a lot of laughing.
In May we went to Cottleville Wine Seller meeting up with Terry’s friends as well as my friend Terri.
Terri and I raised the roof!
Terry, Terri and I couldn’t stay off the dance floor. And soon…Betsy came dancing over to us which made us all smile and hug. Even Anita gave her a shout out! We had another amazing afternoon of fun and friends.
On one of these evenings we watched The Artemis 2 splash down.
During this time, Betsy had mentioned that she was thinking about moving, however, I don’t think Terry and I took her seriously. She was moving? No! Nobody moves away, do they?
Sometime in the spring, Betsy confirmed she was moving to Maine to be near her sister, and she also felt she needed a change. She expressed an interest in getting involved in politics and she was from back east coming to St. Louis for graduate school at Wash U. Terry and I tried to talk her out of it. (I know, great friends, right?!) Betsy even told us that her sister commented, “You’re doing this backwards. You’re making new friends now?” and we laughed.
In May we met at Flower Child before one of Betsy’s REI shifts bringing with us St. Louis gifts that she would remember us by! We chatted and shared more laughs as well as lunch and all the desserts Flower Child had. Walking outside we asked if this would be the last time we would hang out or was there by chance another get together.
We also asked Betsy if we could visit. It would be non-stop talking and laughing and hopefully enjoying the beauty of Maine. She replied, “Yes! I’m going to find a place with enough room for guests, and you both can be my first!” This made Terry and I very happy.
Luckily, we were able to spend an evening together in June at a concert in Bluebird Park. We had such fun chatting and listening to Rocking Chair.
When we got back to my house, we couldn’t stop talking until finally someone said, “this could go on all night!”
We tearfully hugged Betsy, goodbye, knowing this wasn’t the end. Just another curve in our road. We wanted the best for her and knew that Maine was going to be a good fit. And even better, we knew we’d visit her once she was settled.
This new, light friendship makes me so very happy.
As the Girl Scouts sing, “Make new friends and keep the old…”
Betsy, Terry, thank you. For our new, loving friendship. For your openness and interest and for making me laugh like a ten-year-old. You remind me what it feels like to be free in a friendship. Love you both, my soul sisters.
Expect good. Defy gravity. Sparkle on! A trio of friendship!
For more St. Louis Girl Storytelling blogs and St. Louis Girl Podcasts and Interviews and to find out how I empower people to discover and use their voice through storytelling:
Anita Rosamond: (https://anitarosamond.com/)
Cottleville Wine Seller: (https://www.cottlevillewineseller.com)
Rocking Chair: https://rockinchairstl.com/
The Wolf Café: https://thewolfstl.com/
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