Unexpected Moment

On my way to work today, I did my normal routine and was going through the list of things I needed to take care of in the week to come. One of those items on my list was to reach out to friends and ask if they would join me on my Overnight Walk this June.

First friend on my mind... Megan Smallwood.

As I was stuck in traffic, I decided that instead of emailing her, I'd give her a call right then. What happened next was something I wasn't even expecting.

I've known Megan since I was 10. She has always been a wonderful combination of everything you'd want in a friend. A sweet soul; brilliant mind; great sense of humor. The one thing she has always been though for me, is a source of strength.

As we were going through those oh so angsty teenage years, she was always one of the people I turned to. We have similar mindsets when it comes to emotional things, and always knew how to help push the other one through a rough patch. Whether that be chocolate milk after school, or just laying on her family's trampoline looking at the sky... we had each others' backs.

So when I called her today, I was shocked when I began to cry. My simple request for her to be a part of my team turned into an unexpected emotional moment. I couldn't help but choke up as I let her know how much she has meant to me in my life, and the idea of walking without her just didn't feel right.

There were many times when we were younger that she was there when I was in the deepest of my depression pits. Obviously at the time we did not know that was what they were, but she was always there. And now she will be there with me on the walk, having become the third official member of my team.

Thank you Smallwood from the bottom of my heart for dealing with my tears not only today, but over the past 20 years. You said you would always be there, and you've never let me down.