It’s happened to all of us. We run into someone we know—a neighbor, relative or friend— somewhere that we least expect it.
On a recent trip to JC Penneys in Maple Grove, I bumped into my sister in law from Plymouth. I had never been to the store before and I had not planned more than a quick trip in to buy a new kitchen rug. An afterthought shopping trip that turned into a nice visit….for 45 minutes. Seize the moment is my motto.
This seems to happen to me more often than not. In my mind I say, “Well, it’s a small world!” But maybe these “chance” meetings might be the workings of a higher power. Maybe we’re supposed to be with this person, on this day, at this time…it was meant to be.
But even more amazing to me is when two strangers meet and they have an instant connection. Recently I was in Iringa, Tanzania, South Africa. I met a woman there who loved to cook. She made the most delicious meal of roast beef with potatoes, green beans and fresh baked bread. This was the only beef I ate the entire time I was in Africa.
I knew she was from Minnesota. She and her husband live in Iringa for a few months each year to work on agricultural projects, but what I didn’t know was that they were building a new home for themselves in Tofte! Less than 10 miles from my childhood home!
How is it I had to travel more than 8,800 miles to meet her? And to top it off she was a reader of my column in the Cook County News-Herald! This sweet woman even shared her recipe for oven fried chicken with me and as soon as I test it out I will share it with you—gravy included. Yum!
Have you ever just met someone and felt a click? There are times I meet new people and I know immediately that we will be friends. This happens to me a lot. Maybe it’s because I like most people or maybe it was “meant to be.”
When two people meet, each
one is changed by the other so
you’ve got two new people.
John Steinbeck
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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