“Someone told me there’s a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.” –Led Zeppelin
Oh, there is, LZ. And I just helped her get married. If one can “help” someone do such a thing.
A good friend recently remarried. A friend who reached out to me soon after my divorce, although we did not know each other very well other than to say “hello” at school functions.
She left me a voicemail I’ll never forget. It said, “You don’t know it yet but you are going to need a divorced friend. Someone who gets it. Someone who has weekends without kids while everyone else is having family time. Let’s get together for dinner soon.”
It was a godsend. I was trying to navigate new waters in which I was childless and a single woman in a Family (yes, capital F is entirely intentional) town. And she was 100 percent correct. I needed a divorced friend—one who would act as BFF, therapist, partner in crime and fellow career woman figuring it out solo.
We saw each other through awful dates, crazy work schedules, a relationship or two, and times where it seemed the world was caving in because we could not handle all that was on our plates. She is someone I know I can call at 3 a.m. and she’ll pick up the phone. She is straight with me always; that in and of itself is a rare treasure.
I recently wrote about my trip to Hawaii. There, I saw this accomplished woman—love in her eyes and flowers in her hair—say “I do” to a wonderful man. One who is also accomplished and the yang to her yin. They married on a bluff as the sun set, the sound of the surf behind them. We celebrated into the night with champagne, heartfelt toasts and words of support for the happy couple.
My friend is not a love-in-her-eyes-&-flowers-in-her-hair kind of gal, usually. She is take-charge, no-nonsense. Stoic. So, to see her as she was in Hawaii? Well, that was some kind of wonderful.
And to see a man who can appreciate a woman like that, who is strong enough that she can find her “gentle” but confident enough to admire her strength—well that is another kind of wonderful.
In the midst of a turbulent world, screaming headlines, political unrest—I was able to rejoice in the girl and the love and the flowers. May it happen more often for more women. May it bear witness to a beauty and reality that defies turbulence, screaming, unrest.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the world but we can live in our own space in love.
Seeing my friend do so inspired me. I hope in similar fashion, somewhere in this big wide world, a man exists who is looking for the love in my eyes.
For him, I’ll put flowers in my hair.
And I know she will be there to help me do it.
candidkay 
This is a loving tribute to a worthy friend and a piece that has a perfect title. I enjoyed this post, Kay.
Thank you! It was a joy to write b/c I’m so reveling in her joy . . .
You will…we all will, one day and that day will come 🙂
Love that optimism:). Keep it comin’!
Lovely. We all need such a friend. And yes, your man is out there… looking for you!
We DO need such a friend, right? A godsend!
A beautiful story of friendship and love. Well done Kris!
Thank you:). I’m lucky to have such a friend!
Nice story, Kay. I believe there is someone there for you, someone who hasn’t found you, yet. I believe there is someone for everyone. I just hope everyone gets ‘found’.
We can only believe it is so! Thank you:).
This was so beautiful.
“And to see a man who can appreciate a woman like that, who is strong enough that she can find her ‘gentle’ but confident enough to admire her strength—well that is another kind of wonderful.”
It is another kind of wonderful. Definitely. I can’t wait to read all about when you put flowers in your hair!
Wishing you a world of love and flowers and joy, my friend. And then some. xoxo
Thank you! Your world is already filled with those, deservedly!
Love this story of love + optimism. And flowers! I’ve always got flowers on in some form (not usually in my hair though.)
As I type this, am gazing at some gorgeous purple and yellow lilies:). Soul sister!
Lovely. I’ve missed your posts.
Thank you! Life sometimes gets in the way of our writing, right?:)
Don’t I know it. Not much coming from my keyboard either right now.
Beautiful thoughts beautifully written.
Thank you very much. Every once in a while I get it right:)
I hear strength, confidence, courage…and a whole new love of self to speak those words Kristine.
May he also have created that mix…a blend that will appreciate flowers in your hair also 🙂
Amen to that, Mark. May we both have created that:).
And my friend you will have flowers & love for we always keep hope alive!
You inspire me!
I’ve taken a “respite” for right & wrong reasons & will be back blogging soon.
Hope.
We need it. We have to believe.
Love.
Fills us in ways we didn’t remember or realize we need.
It happens!
Hugs!
And Lots of Hope!
This is such a sweet response. I’ve slowed down on pace also with writing. But refilling our tanks and attending to the day-to-day business at hand are so essential. Hope you’re back soon! And thank you for the words of encouragement. Truly;).
Oh such a heart warming story! Never stop believing in that love Kristine. Feel it deeply , trust it exists for you, because when you do , it will come ,and we will all put flowers in your hair! 🌺🌺🌺
Thank you! I believe:). Bring on the gardenias!