Favorite Day

My favorite day (in Tuscaloosa) didn’t start off so favorably. It was hot as hades, and I just knew it was going to rain. And I was getting sick of the rain raining on my parade. But life goes on rain or shine, and after a quick stop at the bank Rach and I reluctantly headed off to Planet Fitness. Not reluctant to work out per se, but to step inside Planet Fitness itself. That place is sketch, and other highly reputable sources (Alana) have confirmed that it’s true. Maybe it’s because there is more standing around talking than working out at any given time. Or maybe it’s that feeling that someone creepy is probably scamming on you. Yesterday it was because everyone working out within a 5 foot radius of me smelled like moldy french fries. Regardless, we get our little 30 minute cardio in and high-tail it outside, only to find that’s it raining. Scratch that- pouring. And Rach with her I-Pod, and me in my oversized white t-shirt, are NOT stepping out into that rain.

So we decide to wait it out, walking down the strip-mall plaza to inconspicuously take cover away from PF. Guess we weren’t as incognito as I thought, because no sooner do we come to a stop than a door opens and a young man ( or teenager, not sure) steps out of the Chuck-E- Cheese’s! This sweet young worker guy then proceeds to ask us if we’d like some garbage bags to put over our heads so we won’t get wet. After a pretty long pause, we both accept his offer and follow him inside the pizza joint. (Which I immediately regretted because I started craving pizza. Probably coulda scored some free slices if we stuck around. Save that for another rainy day.) As soon as we step in the door, we encounter a little girl screaming her head off as another sibling struggles to hold her back. Apparently she was afraid of Chuck-E and bolted for the door. Yet not even this throws our new friend off his task. He promptly asks another co-worker for some garbage bags. Mind you, at this point I am expecting some small little bags to hold over our heads, maybe like a Publix bag. But oh no, this was much better, because out comes the other co-worker with two clear, industrial size garbage bags! After fumbling around for some scissors and coming up empty-handed, Chuck-E man decides to take it upon himself to bust holes through the bags and create ponchos for us. He even helps me slip it over my head! I’m not sure what Rachel is thinking at this point, but if my ESP is working correctly I know she is also dying on the inside. At this point I’m feeling really cool in my 4 ½ feet long garbage bag. But I can't laugh too hard, so I thank him while also silently thanking God that the bags were clear. Our new friend also searches for two zip-lock bags, and once successful in his hunt, helps Rach wrap up her I-Pod. No single layer for her, nope; he insists she double bag it. I’m not quite sure what inspired this sudden interest in sheltering the two us from the rain, but I figure it must have been a pretty slow day at Chuck-E’s.

At this point we’re feeling pretty protected and ready to roll. After a round of thank-yous, we bid Chuck-E and the gang good-bye, and get ready to make the mad dash to the car. So we take off, simultaneously trying not to trip over our full-length rain gear and laughing at our ridiculous fortune. Meanwhile, we are praying that no one we know recognizes us. (We could just imagine some students spotting us from afar and saying, Hey, who are those weirdos in garbage bags? Oh wait, are those the new staff girls?!) Then we plopped ourselves down in the car, super-fly garbage-bag ponchos and all, and cracked-up the entire way home.

I was retelling the story to my aunt and grandma today, and for some reason I don't think they thought it was very funny. I, on the other hand, think it was hilarious. Maybe it was just one of those you-had-to-be-there-moments. All I know is I loved it. It’s funny how God used something as loathsome as the rain to bring a smile to face. He's good at that, that being funny thing. And even if it’s something as silly as running through the rain in a garbage bag, I think he delights in seeing His children smile. So thanks for the laugh, God. And for my favorite day (in Tuscaloosa) so far.

I bet if this was a Hefty One-Zip we could have gotten away with just one.

I begin my career as a poncho model next week.