That’s not a pick-up line. Well, actually, it can be, but that’s not what was on my mind when I was introduced last week to someone who looked very familiar, though I couldn’t quite place where I knew her from. She had the same reaction I did.

“We’ve met before,” she said, “but I’m not sure where.”

For the rest of the evening, we tried – unsuccessfully – to determine where it was that we knew each other from.

The event we were attending was the kick-off meeting of a new group at our church, called “G.R.O.W.,” which stands for God Renewing Our Women. I was excited about the new group, for several reasons. One is that I know and work with many women who are embarking on new ventures and adventures – that they weren’t able to pursue while working full-time at outside employment or raising their children – and are finding a new sense of purpose as they discover activities and associations where they can learn, grow, and really make a difference in the world. I include myself in this category, and I’m sure I’ll meet many kindred spirits as I get to know others in G.R.O.W.

Another reason I am excited about the group is that I’ve already been asked to be the featured speaker at one of the upcoming meetings. The theme of that meeting is, “What is your dream?” and that’s a subject I’m passionate about – especially since I’ve spent the last five years helping people to identify, pursue, and achieve their dreams.

The fact that the first G.R.O.W. meeting was a Mexican fiesta – and I love Mexican food – was not a determining factor in my attending the meeting or being so excited about the group. But that was nice, too.

I was seated at the same table as the woman I had just been introduced to, so in between bites of our food and bits of other conversations, she and I continued to name the ways and places we might have met before. Someone else at our table suggested that maybe we attended the same Mass and sat near each other, which is why we looked so familiar to each other. But both of us are sure it was something more specific than that. So we continued to name clubs and organizations we’ve belonged to, places we’ve worked, the ages of our children, and activities of theirs where we may have crossed paths.

Although we never did figure it out, we got to know each other a little better as we compared notes about our lives and activities. That wasn’t the point, but it was a delightful bonus.

We’re confident that sooner or later we’ll end up at the same time in the same place where we first met each other. When we do, it will be a pleasure and a relief to have that mystery solved. And this time, it will be like seeing an old friend.

The column “Find Your Buried Treasure” appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on October 2, 2014.
©Betty Liedtke, 2014

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