Tracy's Visit Day 1

Tracy is one of my best friends...she was, in fact, my Maid of Honor this past March when David and I were married. I have known Tracy since 1995, and she has been a most loyal and faithful friend! Because she is a most loyal and faithful friend, she made a point of coming to stay with us in Jacksonville this summer, after spending most of her summer in Pennsylvania with her parents, and before returning to work as a 4th grade teacher next week.

Well, I believe, that to bless Tracy for her loyalty and faithfulness, not only to me, but to the Lord, the Lord had a special surprise waiting for her when she got off the plane on Saturday.

Tracy came down the escalator to the baggage claim area, with me in full view from the escalator. Then as she came closer she saw a person holding up a piece of paper in front of their face that said "Tracey Collier"...which is her first and last names misspelled. As Tracy got closer still, the person lowered the paper to reveal the face of a beloved friend, who Tracy had lost contact with some 8 years ago...our dear friend Heather!

Heather had contacted me a couple of weeks ago, and we got together to have lunch with our kids. I told Heather at that time that Tracy was coming, and we planned to surprise her!

Well, needless to say we pulled it off! The look on Tracy's face was priceless.

Side note, Heather, Tracy and I all met on the same day! Tracy had flown to Atlanta to visit our church their (from the Philadelphia church) and was going to stay with our friends (the Salsberrys). Heather was the one to pick Tracy up from the airport that first visit, and held up a sign with Tracy's first and last name's misspelled. Heather then delivered Tracy to the Salsberrys house, where she met me - who was staying with the Salsberry's children since the parents were out of town. I know, it gets confusing!

Anyway, there was great rejoicing at the Jacksonville airport as the three of us were reunited!

We then went to our house so I could get Brianna to a friend's house in order for her to get to youth group...here is Brianna with Aunt Heather (in purple) and Aunt Tracy (in blue) in front of our house:


Then it was off to lunch at a Mexican restaurant near our house. Along the way Heather and I enlisted our husbands to join us, and we had a fun time getting to meet Heather's husband (Larry), and Heather and Larry getting to know David. THEN, we all went back to our house so Larry could help David fix a problem with our air ducts. (David was insistent that Tracy have air conditioning in her room (aka "The Tracy Room").

We girls sat and talked, reminisced, and looked at piles and piles of old pictures. It was such a blessing!

Here is a picture of us just before Heather and Larry left around 9pm:

And, of course, Brianna had to get in the picture too!

Then Heather and Larry went on their way, and we were sad to see them go.

BUT once they left, we did have other things to do before going to bed...Like the official dedication of The Tracy Room! Here is a picture of the ribbon cutting...

All in all, it was a day full of blessing! God has been so very kind to us in SO many ways! David and I are so grateful for the friendships God has given us, and for a home that is a place for all those friends to come visit!

More on Tracy's Visit to come...