New Friends
One of the perks of camping is the people you meet along the way.
Whether it is just a one night stay or an extended weekend away, you’re sure to meet interesting people.
This trip has been no different and just makes me grateful for Justin’s desire to make our family a camping family.
You never know who or when someone will cross your path that makes you want to deepen a friendship.
Last night was one of those times.
Sitting in the parking lot of the Sand Dunes National Park, the gentleman in the camper next to us struck up a conversation with Justin.
Seriously, I thought I was watching Justin talk to his twin.
The two had so much in common and sat there hanging out the camper windows talking about everything from tires, generators and stabilizing bars to pentecostal theology.
Justin was in heaven.
I told the kids to get comfy. There was no way I was pulling him away from this conversation.
Even better?
They have 3 girls and a boy!
There were only 2 campgrounds in the area and we were saddened we weren’t in the same one.
To our surprise, he asked us to dinner and we happily accepted!
This couple was precious. Traveling from Charlotte, he is a Ukranian that has lived here since he was a child and she grew up in the US but is a daughter of Russian parents.
At dinner, the conversation was easy and laughter was plentiful. I loved hearing stories of their culture and church life. They all speak English, but only Russian is spoken in the home. How they met and got married has to be one of my favorite stories - they got engaged before they ever dated! And no, it was not an arranged marriage.
Not wanting the evening to end, we headed to the playground and let our kids, who were having the time of their lives with each other, run off all of their energy and enjoy the company of others.
Again, the backdrop of the mountains and the sand dunes behind the playground puts this on the list of yet another amazing Colorado playground.
It was finally time for us to go. It had been a long day, our campground was 30 minutes away, and it was getting late.
But in the stereotypical southern way, our goodbye lasted another 30 minutes.
We just didn’t want the night to end.
It was too perfect. Numbers were exchanged, favorite camping spots shared, and blessings on travels home were declared.
Who knows if we will see them again, but I hope that we do.
It is so strange how perfect strangers one minute can become future long term friends.
You just never know who God is going to put in your path and how He is going to bless you with that relationship.
Tonight was a reminder of that.
And even if the blessing was just for the evening, I will gladly receive it and appreciate the joy it was to sit and laugh and share stories with this sweet couple.
