I hadn't seen Sarah in....eleven years? Twelve? Nope, I think it has been thirteen! I remember because this last time was at a friend's wedding and I remember the wedding was the same summer as my brother's wedding. Mike and Jacky just celebrated thirteen years last week. Whoa - where DOES time go? It doesn't seem all that long ago that Sarah and I were sitting on my couch, routing for Clay Aiken during the second ever American Idol finale. Or that we were handing out lunches on East Hastings Street in Vancouver, while trying to "blend in" but no one was buying it. (Two very diverse memories, I realize!)
The next mind blowing fact is that when I MET Sarah, nineteen years ago she was twelve years old. Never a student in my class, Sarah was one of the youth in the church group I volunteered with. Even then she was bright and ambitious, determined and driven. Today she might very well be one of the people I admire the most. Someone I am definitely in awe of and proud to know. She obviously isn't a teenager anymore, and apparently I missed all of her 20s too (except via FaceBook these past few years.) Appearing on TV and presenting at international conferences, Sarah is a "big-shot" (to me) in the non-profit world, fighting to end homelessness and giving our fellow citizens, who battle addictions and mental struggles, a right to the basic need for shelter. I couldn't begin to tell you what and how she does this as eloquently as she explained her role to me, but just believe me when I tell you she is a hero and a leader. A wise, patient, kind, compassionate, hard-working, genuine and loving hero and leader. Our community is beyond lucky to have her.
And this is only part of why I feel beyond lucky to know her. Apart from her professional achievements I relate to Sarah on more personal levels as well. She recommends good books. We enjoy some of the same smutty, reality TV. Family is uber important to both of us (ask us about our nieces!). So are our friends equally important. Just like I was at 30, Sarah is a single girl and a catch! Beautiful, fit, funny and stylish (okay, maybe those didn't all describe me...but I WAS single!) Sarah is an independent home owner, a traveller and an amazing big sister (and Auntie!). She oozes positivity and honesty. Love it all.
The fun anecdote from our visit was tonight's venue. Having read so many of her FaceBook posts about the Bowness Pub, I wanted her to take me there for wings. But it wasn't wing night after all. And the kitchen was closed for renovations so we actually couldn't get anything...until the wonderful waitress told us we could order in pizza from the neighbouring take out place. So we did. But pizza and a couple of pints wasn't enough time so we walked the neighbourhood and chatted even more in a park until the sun started to fade and our goosebumps started to grow. Sarah is lovely and fascinating and just so "real". I don't know how high her stock will rise in her career (and of course that has nothing to do with why she is doing any of it) but I feel privileged I'll be able to say, "I knew her when..."
I feel privileged to know her now!
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