Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Josh and I meeting on a flight home from Atlanta...also looking like it just might be the day that Annie is born (she's 3 days overdue today, I'm having a bundle of contractions tonight and if that fails...the doctor scheduled us for induction tomorrow morning at 7am).
I was at the CHA Winter show in Atlanta - rooming with Karen Burniston (who I adore). She and I were talking and she asked me if I ever thought I would date again (had been 3 years since I had even went on a date). I don't remember my exact response - but the gist of it was "no way".
I was scheduled to fly home before the end of the show and at the last minute had called the airline to see if I could get a later flight - no luck. Headed off to the airport and right before I boarded my flight, I happened to run into some gals that I knew. Got to talking and almost missed my flight. I was the last person to board and was exhausted - looking forward to sitting in the window isle that I had booked (I always book the window seat so that I have something to lean my head up against while I sleep). When I got to my row - there was a woman sound asleep in my seat. I was tired already and now, cranky enough that I thought about waking her up and asking her to move, but decided against it. The guy in the isle seat got up so I could sit down in the middle seat.
About 2 minutes into the flight - the guy next to me asked what I had been doing in Atlanta - 4 1/2 hours later, our flight was landing and we were still talking (the most amazing conversation I have ever had in my entire life). I didn't even take a minute in those 4 1/2 hours to contemplate the possibility of our ever even talking again, but as soon as we said good-bye to each other, my head started spinning. Sat down for a few minutes before my next flight and called my best friend - couldn't quit talking about him.
I had given him a business card - had my email address on it. He emailed me that night and fast forward 1 year...here we are.
It sounds crazy (and maybe it is a bit crazy)...our one year anniversary and we're already having a baby. Might not look so good from an outsiders point of view - but it really is a beautiful thing. Not a single doubt in my mind that every path I have ever been on has led up to this. Fate. Kismet. God's plan exactly.
And even though I am going crazy right now - 3 days past my due-date...I can't help but feel like God is blessing our relationship by giving Annie to us on our Anniversary.
Life is a crazy thing...
Just finished up this card for Josh. That's my big ole' belly and the smaller photo is the first one we took together (in my scrapbook closet). One of the strips of paper says Harriet & Valentine on it - I call him Harriet because of a quote he had emailed me when we first started dating (actually, it was before we had even went on a date) and he calls me Valentine since we met the day before Valentines day (mushy stuff, I know).
Going to be a very good day tomorrow.
That is a beautiful story! I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations. All my best tomorrow.
Posted by: Lori Gentile | February 12, 2006 at 06:50 PM
i don't exactly remember how i stumbled onto your blog, but i have added it to my favorites and have been reading your entries lately. sooooo excited for you! how fun! i know your work and it is great! it's great to get to know a little bit about you. i love the story of how you met josh. it seems as though it was the last thing on your mind, the last thing that you ever expected (to meet someone). life is so that way! good luck tomorrow! wishing you the best!
Posted by: heidi larsen | February 12, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Happy Anniversary! Little Annie will be the best anniversary present ever! CONGRATS!
Posted by: Heather Moll | February 12, 2006 at 07:11 PM
What a great story. You will have to tell it to little Annie every year on her birthday as Feb. 13th will always be so special for you and your family.
Take care Karen, and I am sending you best wishes, smiles, hugs, and all that wonderful stuff for a very exciting day tomorrow.
Posted by: Jenn N | February 12, 2006 at 08:24 PM
That card is so sweet & wonderful. Congrats on your anniversary & your little girl. How cooL!
Posted by: alecia grimm | February 12, 2006 at 09:19 PM
Beautiful beautiful and here is sending you have that baby now Vibes!! All my love Wanda
Posted by: Wanda E. Santiago | February 12, 2006 at 09:20 PM
wow it seems like you to belong together for sure! I wish you guys all the luck and hope the delivery goes well!
corinnexxx
Posted by: corinne delis | February 12, 2006 at 09:41 PM
This is a wonderful special day for all your family, congratulations! I met my dh and was married four months later and we had a baby inside our first year too, we got together on valentines day so this one will be our number eight together. Quick can be a beautiful thing. Best of luck!!
Posted by: Janine | February 12, 2006 at 10:18 PM
It is a well-known fact that people who tell me things with confidence are always wrong. As a matter of fact, after hearing you say so positively that you would never date again, I engineered a scenario where my accomplice, Francesca, would purchase a ticket on the same plane as you and pretend to sleep in your seat, thereby forcing you to converse with the hunky dreamboat next to you. She reported back the success of my diabolical plan as soon as you two got home, so I'm afraid that I've known about this whole "happily ever after" thing for, well, a year! :) *giggle*
I adore you, too! Happy Birthday, Annie! (It's after midnight here, and your mother says today's the day, darling, so even though she should probably say the OPPOSITE of what she wants to happen, I think we're gonna have to let her have her way!) *kisses* to your whole happy family!
Posted by: Karen | February 12, 2006 at 11:18 PM
Happy anniversary, Karen and Josh. And hopefully happy birthday, Annie. :)
Posted by: Heather (in Scotland) | February 13, 2006 at 12:42 AM
What an amazing story! Congrats to you both. I can't wait to see little Annie.
Posted by: Rhonda | February 13, 2006 at 01:32 AM
"Not a single doubt in my mind that every path I have ever been on has led up to this."--- How cute! You sound just like that Rascal Flatts song, Broken Road.
Good Luck and here's to a speedy, healthy labor!
Posted by: Blessed | February 13, 2006 at 01:57 AM
Happy Anniversary to you and Josh and I hope little Annie arrives for you today, what a wonderful Anniversary present that would be. And what a wonderful story. My husband and I had our first daughter just under a year after we first got together, so I totally know where you are coming from ... you just know it's right. Good luck for today anyway. :)
Posted by: Katy | February 13, 2006 at 04:17 AM
One of the coolest stories I've ever heard......love the card and the fact that Annie may be born on your anniversary!!!!! So happy for you!!!!
Posted by: Jessi | February 13, 2006 at 06:16 AM
Good morning! Happy Anniversary to you and Josh! What an exciting year this has been for you guys:)
Just had to pop in before I left for work to say 'Welcome' Annie and I can hardly wait to meet you! After all I figure 'Mommy' will bring you to classes for a while at least!! To many 'Aunties' are wanting to see you.
Karen, just know many prayers and lots of love are coming your way today!
Posted by: Brooke | February 13, 2006 at 06:31 AM
Awwwww!!! Thinking of you today, Karen!! Happy anniversary and Happy Birthday to sweet Annie!!
Posted by: joanna | February 13, 2006 at 06:55 AM
this is so beautiful.. and what a wonderful story you and Josh have :)
Posted by: Ashley | February 13, 2006 at 07:14 AM
I love that story! ...and no apologising for the time frame! Love has no time restraints!
Posted by: Bec | February 13, 2006 at 08:05 AM
just commenting with a great big 'ol happy *sigh*.
Posted by: melanie | February 13, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Come on out Annie!! We are waiting to meet you!!!
Huge congrats to you Karen and your family. I just love your whole love story. SOOO Romantic!!!
We all cant wait to see your precious addition.
Dena
Posted by: Dena Coe (MomtoZoe) | February 13, 2006 at 10:13 AM
AWESOME!! What a beautiful love story! God had a plan for you no doubt!! :-) What a wonderful blessing your daughter will be to your already beautiful family. :-) Can't wait to see pics of her!!
Posted by: cindy | February 13, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Oh Karen, what a beautiful love story, that is the stuff movies are made of !
All the best to you, I keep you in my prayers tomorrow.
Posted by: Barbara | February 13, 2006 at 10:47 AM
cheers to you and yours karen! here's hoping that miss annie arrives tomorrow! come on annie, you have THE coolest mommy and family patiently awaiting your debut!
Posted by: rachel | February 13, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Fate is a wonderful thing. She had a hand in the meeting of my husband, also.
Annie, hurry up!
Jennie
Posted by: Jennie | February 13, 2006 at 03:46 PM
So happy for you Karen...you just sound so happy and you are one person that sure deserves it! Happy Anniversary to you both and Happy Birthday to little Annie!!! ;)
Posted by: Heather | February 13, 2006 at 09:48 PM
karen- this is an awesome 'romance' story! it was meant to be girl. i love it!! and i can't think of a better way to bless your meeting ;-)
Posted by: steph | February 14, 2006 at 02:36 AM
Beautiful layout and story! And welcome little Annie.
Posted by: chmezzetti | February 14, 2006 at 08:07 AM
Oh, Karen...so many good things are happening in your life! I am beyond happy for you! I understand your CHA withdrawls...I missed CHA for the very same reason...I had my baby on January 25th...a girl, 8.0 pounds, and 20 3/4 inches. I had my other baby born a few days later...my paper line with CI. It would not have happened if it weren't for your introduction of Jack to me. I still can't thank you enough! This year has been a dream come true for me! It sounds like your year has been a dream come true for you too! I am so glad when good things happen for good people.
Posted by: Samantha Walker | February 14, 2006 at 08:13 AM
happy anniversary Karen and Valentines day and have that baby ;) Your such a wonderful person! Cheers to you darling!
Posted by: Jenn | February 14, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Karen,
I've been checking your blog daily to see the news on Miss Annie. Can't wait to see her, in pictures and in person. Did I tell you that we offer infant holding services here while new mommies shop?
Hope all is well,
Stacey
Scrapbook King
Posted by: Stacey | February 14, 2006 at 02:59 PM
Totally thinking about you guys!
Posted by: Ali | February 14, 2006 at 03:24 PM
I remember you telling me this story and I told you mine - so similar. I'm so happy for you that you met your soulmate early in your life. Happy Valentine's Day.
Posted by: PamMc | February 14, 2006 at 10:01 PM
I believe that my first words to you were something along the lines of, "Hey, I was hoping to get both of these seats to myself."
Love You Valentine!
Harriet
Posted by: Harriet | February 16, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Karen.. your card is amazing and how you and JOsh met seems like a fairytale!!
Posted by: Katie | September 08, 2008 at 08:42 AM