a chance encounter in the mythical city of atlanta

ah... atlanta!

my favorite ancient underwater civilization with both a coke plant and a delta hub.

the strangest thing happened while waiting for my flight out to san juan.

i was reading a religious journal and the woman across from me recognized it and casually showed me that she had the same one.

we quickly struck up a conversation.

i asked where she and her family was from and what congregation she attended.

she replied that they were from colorado but originally from pennsylvania.

i enquired which part, as i am also from the keystone state.

she said pittsburgh, to which i said, "me too!"

she asked what part, to which i replied "beltzhoover, on the south side."

she said that they had moved 10 years ago. i told her that we had moved to ohio almost 20 years ago.

i told her which congregation we used to attend, to which she exclaimed, "my parents go to that congregation!"

she asked if i knew a certain man who has lived in that area and attended the same congregation for many, many years.

"of course, i know bob!" i replied.

"he performed our marriage ceremony!" she said, pointing to her husband.

"he performed my mom and dad's!" i said in disbelief.

"who are your parents?" she asked.

when i gave the names, her jaw dropped. "my sister and your mom were best friends in high school."

"waitaminute," i said, "YOU'RE amy's sister?!?!?! my mom named my little sister after her!"

"and YOU'RE peggy's grandson! she gave me the most beautiful crib for my first son." she pointed at the man sitting next to me. "i then gave it to your mom when she became pregnant with her first son."

"she still has that crib." i said. "in fact, all of us kids used."

i looked at her son sitting next to me, who was now a grown man.

"dude," i muttered. "we slept in the very same crib as babies."

i then called my mom and handed the phone to her long lost friend.

we exchanged info and they invited me to stay with them in colorado near the resort that their family manages.

i remain dumbfounded even as i type.