Serendipity

This morning Jeff and I went to the elementary school to attend the tour for parents of incoming kindergarteners.  (Can you believe we are going to have a kindergartener?!?)  This is a big school and there were probably 60 people there for the tour.  We sat down in the cafeteria just as the principal was beginning his presentation.  Someone passed me a sign-in sheet and I glanced at the other names before writing Marley's.  My heart skipped a beat when I saw the name just above ours. 

Now, we run into people we know all the time in West Seattle.  In fact, there were several other familiar faces at the school today.  Some we expected to see, and some we were a little surprised to see.  But, I was shocked to be looking at this particular name.  See, this was a very unique name.*  One that is not easy to forget.  And one that I hadn't heard in a long time.

I tapped Jeff on the shoulder and showed him the name.  We peeked over at the couple sitting across the table.  "Is that them?" I mouthed.  He nodded. 

I did my best to pay attention to the rest of the presentation.  But, when it was over I nearly dove across the table so I could say the following:

"You may not remember me, but our sons were in the NICU together five years ago."

We visited Marley in the hospital every day for five weeks after he was born.  The NICU can be a very isolating place.  You're so focused on the health and well-being of your own child that making friends is the last thing on your mind.  But, we definitely had a connection with this family during our stay.  I hoped to keep in touch with them.  After Marley was discharged, though, we never saw or spoke to them again.  Until today.

They immediately remembered us, too, and we hugged like long-lost friends, which I suppose we are.  I had this momentary flash where I was transported back in time to the NICU.  Visiting Marley, and chatting with them afterward in the lounge.  And now, here we are preparing to send our preemies to kindergarten.  Except they're no longer tiny babies.  They're big kids now, and the NICU seems like a lifetime ago. 

And that, my friends, is serendipity. 

*I don't want to print the name here, but if you're curious email me and I'll tell you what it is:)