Girl’s Trip 2020 was a bit different. We had intended to go to either Las Vegas or Palm Springs for a few days. COVID-19 changed that, and instead, we took a staycation in Escondido and Oceanside. But it’s okay; we still had a great time AND saved money. Sometimes changing how you do things brings about something better.
In 2015, I went on a short cruise to Ensenada with the North Coast’s Single Adult Ministries. I went without bringing a friend, letting the organizers assign me a cabinmate and dining companions. One night at dinner, the gentleman seated next to me asked a question that changed my life. He asked who my significant relationships in the group were. That was uncomfortable because I had to admit: no one. Sure, I knew people and could enjoy their company at church and group events, but not one of them would I call in an emergency, and not one of them would call me.
Of course, I had good friendships in other areas of my life, but none who shared my commitment to the Lord. That needed to change. Wouldn’t you know, God set about doing just that, and Dan’s question inspired me to follow His lead. Shortly after the cruise, I was invited to a movie night at the home of one of the group members; normally, I would have said thank you but declined. Instead, I went, met Bob, who hosted parties for any and no reason; he invited me to the next one, where I met other people, both men and women. Invites from other people followed. At one get-together, I spent most of the evening talking to Dylan. Dylan connected me with Stephanie, Izzie and Rachel. Lisa joined the Bible study group I attended. I introduced her to the others.
Today, we are a tight knit group; we range in age from about 55 to 65. Four of us are single, two are now married, one sadly has moved to Texas. Our jobs are very different as are our talents and passions. One of us is Canadian, one is African American, some of us have children and grandchildren, some don’t. We’re tall and short, introverted and extroverted. We rescue each other from the side of the road and help each other move. Not one of us has our natural hair color. We can talk to each other about anything—dating relationships, family difficulties, how we may have inadvertently hurt one another and how we can fix it. We hold each other accountable in our walk with Jesus. We also laugh a lot, are not above pranking a member of the group, and we celebrate each other in innumerable ways. We love each other fiercely. God put us together.