Reason, season or lifetime?

I have met a lot of people in my life.  Some were acquaintances, some became friends, some became not-friends, some became family and some just were random.  If you know me IRL, you know that it takes a bit of time for me to warm up to new people.  I will say that there are a handful of people that I have had an instant connection upon meeting.

I received a phone call yesterday while out at dinner, as I listened to the voice message on my way home, my eyes filled with tears.  Not sad tears, tears full of happiness that this man and his wife are in my life.

"Hey Gorgeous, it JD.  I was just outside feeding my catfish and was thinking about you and The Kidlet.  I hope that your Mothers Day was wonderful.  We miss you and we want to see you soon.  We hope all is well, we do not get to see you enough Kim.  Call me back, let's figure out a time to get together.  I can make you and The Kidlet a steak on the grill, take you to dinner or take you to lunch.  Or just in general, enjoy your company".


I met JD in October of 2009.  This man definitely has a presence.  He is old enough to be my father but I would never tell him that.  He has a killer personality and gives the absolute best hugs (and I have been hugged by many).  We struck up an immediate friendship.  He was responsible for so many smiles on my face in my first few months back in Fort Worth.  And he continues to make me laugh with his stories of his days as a salesman living on the road.


Let me back track for a minute... I was left with a huge hole in my heart when I lost my father in 2000.  I was a Daddy's Girl from the day that I was born until the day that he passed.  I miss him every single day.  He was not perfect but he always had my back and was my biggest fan regardless of my "crazy cause of the week".


I do have a stepfather and he is great but we have never really connected.  I am certain that I have a stronger bond with the owner of my local dry cleaners than I do with him and that is okay.  I'm not looking for a replacement father figure in my life.  At least, I thought that I wasn't.


So enter JD into my life.  I love this man.  I love his wife.  I love their relationship.  I love the story of how they met.  I love that they love wine... at lunch.  I love that they love their adult children and adore their grandchildren. I love that he insisted on helping me move. I love that he always has something to say about my outfits (even my faux leather black pants).  I love that he always asks about The Kidlet.  I love that he has allowed her try on his infamous, red boots.


A few weeks before Christmas 2010, I found out that JD had been rushed to the hospital.  Once I called him out on it, his response was "Honey, I am fine".  I was in the car on my way to Houston and I felt the same way that I would when my father would be hospitalized not knowing what was truly going on.  I found out later that JDs trip was serious and  I was upset.  I called and text him throughout the holiday just to stay in the loop.  I couldn't stand the thought of this man not being in my life.

I believe that these two extraordinary people were brought into my life for a reason.  They entered at a time when I needed them most and did not even know it.  Now I know that JD makes every person that he meets instantly fall in love with him but I have always felt that we had a special bond.  I am one lucky gal and I value this relationship, always will.


I love you Gorgeous!