My friend Saana is from Finland. I think I’ve mentioned her once or twice, and her little boy Kasper is a month older than Adlai and they play together just about every day of the week (mostly so Saana and I can drink coffee together, but you know, it’s all about the kids).
I met Saana last year when Adlai was only three months old, and we became fast friends. She’s married to a British man, too, and she lives a long way away from her family, too, so we have a lot to talk about.
She’s an amazing seamstress, and studied dressmaking and design when she was in college, so when she told me she was making something for my birthday, I kind of assumed it would be a cool bag, or a top, or something made of fabric.
But then she showed up at my house earlier this week with a giant garbage bag, and handed me a card that said, “I know you carry this place in your heart.”
Inside the bag, was a large picture frame – she helped me pull it out so that I saw the back first, where this note was attached…
In case you can’t read that, it’s a quote from this blog, written on the 30th of November, 2009. It says:
“I love America, I love North Carolina, and I love Winston-Salem. I won’t follow that with a ‘but’. I love it here.
I’m being led now, to a country where the Lord has plans for me, and I’m doing my best to follow.”
Needless to say, this is the point when the waterworks started.
Then I turned the frame around, and it was all over.
Ladies and gentlemen, that is a map of my beloved North Carolina made from vintage sheet music.
Some gifts just say, “I know you, and I love you.”
…
Good news! Saana takes commissions! If you’re interested, contact me and I’ll put you in touch.
So I am, at this very moment, sitting in a certification class and reading GS during our little break. Needless to say, this post made me fight everything inside of me not to cry. Special friends are such a blessing from The Big Guy.
This post made me cry. Really.
And that’s my beautiful, loving, caring and v e r y talented sister who made that. wow! beautiful.
i kinda envy you Faith for spending everyday time with her…
I must have not even congratulated you yet, so late I am… Happyhappyhappy birthday F, have so much fun on your new decade! May God bless you!
She is amazing!
That’s the definition of a friend. So sweet!
I love, LOVE this.