Life is funny sometimes. I pulled into my driveway tonight after a long day at work and teaching yoga and I looked at the time on my car radio: 9:06pm. Sigh. I thought to myself, I haven't taken a picture yet and there certainly isn't anything that stood out from my routine day that was photo-worthy. Discouraged, I sulked into the house only to find a perfectly wrapped brown paper package with my name sitting on the table. "Ainsworth/Bonenfant" was written in the upper left corner. Becky!? A dear friend from junior and high school. I haven't spoken with her in months, what could this be? Puzzled, I quickly opened the package to reveal the contents. I unwrapped the paper to find a vintage-inspired cigar box filled with Mexico postcards, a tiny sombrero, an Easy Spanish Phrase Book, stunning photos of Becky and her fiancé, Jay, and most notably, a custom, handmade "Passport" with details inviting guests to save the date for their destination wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I couldn't believe it. Are Becky and Jay really including me in one of the biggest days of their life? A Mexican wedding none-the-less! I was speechless and in tears (joyous ones, of course.)
Before I could even sort through all the contents, I opened up a folded personal note from Becky that was neatly tucked inside the box. As long as I can remember, Becky has been a talented writer and is blessed with the ability to beautifully articulate her thoughts on paper. I recall the hundreds of notes we passed in high school. Becky's notes were always laugh-out-loud hilarious, eloquent (no matter how juvenile the topic) and of course, folded and decorated with precision and beauty. It was clear to me that the memories I have of Becky's creativity and thoughtfulness from 10 plus years ago were still true today.
Now, I could continue to type about the amazingly fantastic details of the package, or the personalized note from a beloved friend that I read through tear-filled eyes, or the countless memories that came flooding back, or the overwhelming joy that I feel that this amazing woman has found an equally amazing man to spend forever with...but this blog is more about the pictures than the words so I'll share these thoughts and emotions offline. I did, however, want to share one excerpt from her enclosed letter (If you're reading this, Becks, I hope you don't mind!)
"A short time ago something caught my eye and I remembered your blog. I had unfortunately fallen behind and I sat and read every single post and every single comment that I had missed. It made me think of the things that make me happy each day and the things that make me content. I pictured you receiving this and the smile that I knew it would put on your face. Suddenly the time two old friends have spent away did not matter. I knew that putting this in the mail to you was my contentment in today."
I have never been as articulate as Becky and I certainly won't try to start now, but there is no way to explain the contentment this tiny brown package delivered me today.
(And if all that wasn't enough...Mexico, here I come!)
whit!! i am so humbled and flattered by this. thank you for your kind words. i love that it was not only well received but so perfectly on a day when you needed a little last minute happiness. we are so honored to include you my dear old friend. keep up the great work with this blog. its amazing! and it has really influenced me to "smell the roses" in my life as well. xoxo. becky
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