Happy Birthday to My Favorite Plot Twist

Today is Earl's birthday, and it feels like the perfect time to tell you a story.

When Earl and I first worked together in a factory many years ago, I didn't like him.

Not even a little. ☺️

He talked too much. He wandered off to other work areas to chat with people instead of staying near his machines. And even though I was known for my warm and bubbly personality, I barely acknowledged his existence.

One day, a coworker said to me, “Wow. That was rude,” when I walked away from Earl as he approached me.

Ouch.

In that moment, I had a choice. I could keep justifying my behavior because I didn't particularly care for him, or I could work on becoming the kind of person I wanted to be.

Thankfully, I chose the second option.

Not overnight, of course.

But over time, I made an effort to be friendlier. We started talking occasionally. Then we became friends.

Years passed.

In fact, about fifteen years passed.

We both moved on from that company and went our separate ways. Then one day, Earl invited me out to lunch.

I don’t know what surprised me more: That I said “yes,” or that I had a really nice time.

Who knew? ☺️

That lunch eventually turned into a relationship (little “r” relationship). Eventually, I admitted it progressed into a big “R” Relationship.

Today, we've been together for thirteen years and married for almost five.

Not bad considering I once tried very hard to ignore him.

Earl taught me something important:

First impressions don't have to become permanent conclusions.

Sometimes people change.

Sometimes we grow.

Sometimes all that changes is our willingness to see someone through a different lens.

I've found that some of the best people, opportunities, experiences, and lessons in my life arrived disguised as something I initially disliked and dismissed.

What about you?

Have you ever been completely wrong about a person, opportunity, hobby, or experience that later became something meaningful in your life?

And if you're reading this, Earl...

Happy Birthday. ❤️

Until next time,