A Note on Serendipity

An ex-girlfriend from high school e-mailed my mother a few years ago and asked how I was doing. My mother responded that I was hopelessly single and living in Las Vegas to which my ex casually suggested I look up an old high school classmate who was also single. So began the serendipitous relationship with my wife.

I never looked her up, but one day I got a phone call from her telling me she would be visiting Vegas and suggesting that we get lunch or dinner or something. Well, she showed up and looked amazing, but I was crazy busy so we arranged to go to breakfast. Breakfast was pleasant as we caught up on the high school gossip and recounted the almost 1o years since we'd seen each other. I, however, didn't see any real possibility for a relationship as we lived a long way away from each other, so we parted with a hug and a handshake and wished each other a pleasant life.

I really didn't think too much of the encounter after that day until nearly five months later when I planned a trip to her area of the country visiting a friend who was lining me up with a few girls he knew. I remember packing my bags and rummaging through my single guy filth trying to find some change for a taxi when I stumbled across a piece of paper with her home phone number scribbled on it. "What the heck?" I thought and tossed it in my pocket. Four months later, the love of my life and I got married.

Serendipity is a funny thing. It jumps on us with no warning and no preparation and surprises and delights us. I think serendipity is God's way of throwing us a bone every once in a while.

To the citizens of WilkeWorld, I want to know the role of serendipity in your lives. How did it find you and how did you take advantage of it?