Be Thankful on Paper: “A”
This post was written on November 11th, 2010There were only 2 lots left in the area we wanted to build a house. In a vinyl siding neighborhood where the houses are practically stacked on top of one another, the lots facing an open wooded area were far and few between. It’s competitive to get one. People get feisty. The boxing gloves come out.
Three couples waited in the office. One couple would leave very unhappy. Their dream of building a home near the trees and walking trail would be crushed.
“A” walked past us. She was the competition. She got first pick first. Come to find out the order of who chooses first was based on registration date. No one ever told Sugar Daddy and I about registering, so we knew right away both couples were ahead of us. Again, there were only 2 lots. “Crap”, we thought, there went our chance. “A” walked past us with a smirk on her face. She got the lot and the house she wanted. And she was gloating! She sauntered out of the office with a huge grin on her face.
I whispered to Sugar Daddy, “I should trip her. Maybe if she fell flat on her face she wouldn’t me smiling.” I was trying to make light of an upsetting moment, but I was partially serious about tripping her. The next couple was called into the room to claim the last lot. We knew our chance of getting it was over, but we stayed just in case. The style of house they wanted was a one-story which was too wide for that particular lot. They weren’t willing to choose another house style, and they decided to build elsewhere. The couple left looking really upset. I didn’t want to trip them.
It took a minute for the news to sink in. We got the lot! We will get to see the trees out of our kitchen window and not have another huge house glaring back at us from our back yard.
Oh, crap, but that meant I would be a next door neighbor to the gloating girl; the #1 pick. The one that smirked and rubbed it in our faces when she got first choice. Well, I would not be friends with her. Not at all. Not ever. Sugar Daddy joked that the two of us would end up as best friends. No, I corrected him, we most certainly would not!
We’ve lived in our home for 4 years and “A” has become a great friend. Our daughters are inseparable best friends and our husbands hang out regularly and bowl on the same league together. “A” and I…. we talk every single day. We are very different, but understand each other. She listens to country music and hates to cook; I listen to everything BUT country and feel at my best when in the kitchen cooking or baking. She listens to me whine and complain when I’ve had a truly crappy day. She isn’t one of those girls that obsesses over her weight or looks, she’s confident and fun to be around. So I thank her for showing me how to lighten up and have fun.
She doesn’t take life too seriously. And she’s a blast to go out with. I thank her for accepting our entire family as her family. I thank her for accepting me for me and never making me feel like I need to be anyone else.
Oh, and she knows the story of how I wanted to trip her. We laugh about it often. And we are both incredibly grateful for our our tree lined back yard view.
And, yes, I had to admit to Sugar Daddy that he was right.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:15 am
What a great story! It’s always wonderful when you see God turn unexpected situations into something beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
November 11th, 2010 at 9:40 am
It’s so funny how things work out. Such a fun story.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:59 am
haha! this is awesome, love it! y’all are so cute in that picture. what a fun history to have with a neighbor and friend! thanks for sharing! xo
SugarMama Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Thanks! The picture was taken after a friendly game of flag football between our two families. Friendly turned into competitive between “A” and me! I think we’ll always be competitors!
November 11th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Isn’t it funny when that happens?
One of my best friendships in school blossomed from a story like this one. Gloaters suck, though.
SugarMama Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Yes, they do! And it’s funny, because now that I knew her personality I can totally laugh when she gloats about other things. But back then, not funny at all.
November 11th, 2010 at 10:37 am
One of my best friends and I had a similar bumpy start, but I am so thankful we made it through! So glad you have a next door best friend!
November 11th, 2010 at 11:59 am
how cute! what a funny story, thank you for sharing it.
on a side note – i LOVE your blog! and I most looked forward to reading your post today!
November 11th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
gloating girls OFTEN make the best of friends!
SugarMama Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
That is too funny!
November 11th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Isn’t the best when you make friends with people that you think you could NEVER be friends with?! Happened to me.
XO
Amy
SugarMama Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Even after meeting her again I didn’t think we’d be friends. I didn’t think we had enough in common. I’ve learned that it’s great to have friends different from us… makes life interesting!
November 11th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
love this story! that is so wonderful how it all worked out! she sounds like a great friend and neighbor to have!
SugarMama Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
She is a great neighbor! We balance each other out. It will be very hard if we ever have to move away.
November 13th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
All of our neighbors are old but they have adopted us. It’s hard to go outside and get anything accomplished since someone always wants to talk. But I love my neighbors and feel very safe in this “hood” lol! It’s more like a senior citizen’s subdivision…
I love this story and the happy ending.
Men? Sometimes are right…keyword sometimes
SugarMama Reply:
November 13th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Sometimes… yes, that IS the keyword. We lived in a neighborhood with seniors before and I liked it because it was quiet. I’m kind of a hag that way…. I don’t like the constant knocking on the door from neighbor kids. But I deal with it because I know my kids love it. I hope I’m not a crabby old person, because I’m sure sounding like I might be already.
November 17th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
What a wonderful story, I love how close you came as friends after our first contact with each other. Isn’t it funny how we read people by their cover or first impressions – I admit, I’m guilty of doing it all the time. Thankfully God knows us better and gives us the opportunity to get to know these wonderful people He places in our lives.
Have a marvelous day