We remained close friends in person and in social media. We supported each other through different challenges and celebrated joys and triumphs in our lives and in our children's lives.
On February 12, 2020, we met at Legal Seafood in Chestnut Hill for lunch. Fortunately, Kelly doesn't mind the drive into Boston from where she lives just north of Boston. We had a delicious leisurely lunch that nourished us both mind, body and soul. Kelly had a very busy work schedule but decided it was vital to take time out to care of herself and to meet with friends. In August of 2019 we finally put the pieces of the puzzle together for what was happening with my daughter Ruth Anne and I was emerging from the caregiver role able to meet friends for lunch again.
"I'm paying this time," Kelly said and added "you'll pay next time."
We agreed to schedule monthly lunch dates because life is just too short!
Our date for March came and went as we feverishly messaged each other on Facebook. I kept rescheduling our reservation on Open Table until everything went into lock down. We frequently messaged each other through FB messenger checking in to see how we were weathering the pandemic and looking ahead to May to reschedule our luncheon.
Well we all know how that went and so we kept doing virtual hugs and imagining how incredible it would be to be together in person again.
Kelly was vaccinated in January because she works in health care. She told me that as soon as I was vaccinated we could meet for lunch. 'Anytime you're ready,' she kept reminding me.
As I struggled with whether or not get the vaccine, all I could think about was getting together for lunch with Kelly again and being able to experience life to the fullest.
Seventeen months later we had our reunion in the parking lot at the Cheesecake Factory in Chestnut Hill experiencing one of the longest and tightest hugs I can remember in a very long time.
I made a reservation to eat outside but as we walked into the restaurant, we saw that the tables and booths were covered after the morning rain. There was a big sign that the restaurant had put in a new air filtration system, asked unvaccinated patrons to wear masks and all staff wore masks. We looked at one another and agreed we would be fine.
I know there have been a lot of complaints in the news about service at restaurants but the staff at the Cheesecake Factory were genuinely happy to be there. Our waitress' eyes smiled with delight as we explained to her we were sorry we took so long to order because this was our reunion lunch.
I scanned the restaurant to see that we were in the first booth and the booths across the aisle were socially distanced from us. I quickly let my fear dissolve as Kelly and I became engrossed in conversation.
Whenever we get together, no matter how much time has passed, I am in awe of how much we have in common and how in sync we are with our world view. It's so incredible to meet in person and get the stories behind the stories that stream on social media.
We genuinely love and care about each other and listen to each other with rapt interest. It's incredibly special to be able to share whatever is deep in your heart with another who greets it with total love and compassion.
It was my first time eating indoors at a restaurant since the pandemic and I'm so blessed and grateful I got to share the experience with Kelly. There is news about uptick in cases around Massachusetts, hot beds of cases around the country and the globe but I know how the immune system gets a boost whenever love flows.
Two and half hours later the waitress brought our check. I wasn't fast enough to grab it from Kelly.
"Come on," I said. "The last time we had lunch you treated and said I could get it next time. This is next time."
"Well I lied," she said and we both laughed.
"You'll get it next time," she said.
"Noooo don't say that. COVID could come back."
"Oh stop it" she said with love and laughter.
It did speak to the lingering anxiety from what transpired since we last had lunch together.
We took out our phones and scheduled our next lunch date in a month.
We had the longest goodbye in the parking lot hugging each other, letting each other know how much we love each other and hugging each other as though it could be the last time. Of course it won't be and as soon as I got home I made a follow up reservation for August.
Seventeen months later was a long time to not be able to chat or hug in person but those two and a half plus hours sharing lunch, laughter, tears and hugs was well worth the wait and getting those shots in the arm.
From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary
Visit my website
to learn more about my journey of transformation in the wake of
paralytic polio and trauma to the finish line of the 2009 Boston
Marathon and beyond.
Be sure to listen to my recent conversation with Liz Brunner, award winning journalist, now CEO of Brunner Communications on her podcast Live Your Best Life. I share how I live my best life despite the challenges that I faced at an early age.
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