Ode to OMSH
So that was fun. OMSH (aka my friend Heather from Texas) flew into San Diego for a quick whirlwind visit this weekend with Bethany and me and the rest of the gang. We had a blast. I’d never met Heather in person before but we’ve known each other online for a long time. And all I have to say is that she is even better in person. OMSH is a trip. In a good way.
Let me paint in some details.
She breezes into the airport. She is tall and her hair is like a shampoo commercial. It flounces and falls around her face in pretty wisps. It’s also bright platinum gray. Is there such a color? Yes, there is and it is beautiful. Then she smiles and her whole face cracks in half. Her smile is as big as Texas and when you hear her soft honey-dripped drawl that comes afterwards, you just want to follow her home and eat fried food all day.
Besides being stylishly dressed, she is wheeling behind her the smallest carry-on suitcase you have ever seen. It’s bright orange. It’s hard plastic on the outside and it sort of reminds me of cross between my old hot-rod vacuum cleaner and something from outer space. It’s the coolest. If I ever travel light again I might have to buy one in red.
These are all things I notice from the outside but those are just small details that make 1/100th of who she is. Heather has a heart as big as Texas too. She’s not loud like I expected her to be (and I don’t mean that in a bad way) but if you read her blog you’ll think she’s cracking jokes every other minute. She is quite funny of course and we did find ourselves cracking up at the silliest things (ask her about the wine-garitas) but she is also a really good listener. I just wish we had had more time for some really long talks. The weekend flew by.
I’m probably embarrassing her by writing all this and I know I’m hopeless in trying to capture what it is really like to meet a good friend in person for the first time but I thought I’d just share a little tiny bit.
We did a lot of fun things. Painting pottery, picnics on the beach, walking around Old Town looking at odd trinkets from Mexico but I have to say that really the best part of this quick visit was listening to her laugh. When it all boils down, there is nothing like having happy friends. I know there is a time for sadness but there is also a time for happiness and this weekend was definitely one of those times.
Miss you already OMSH!
11 Comments
bethany actually
I’m so glad you documented the wine-garitas! I had forgotten them already, and when I read that I laughed all over again.
Ana
That’s so cute SAJ, spending quality time with friends keeps me sane :) how lovely! this entry made me laugh and almost cry…you’re so sweet
pinky
aw! what a sweet entry. And you are right, OMSH has gorgeous hair!
norm
Wow! That big kelp your Bug is hauling in the 4th photo down? Is Pelagophycus! Aka elk kelp, or elkhorn kelp. I have not seen one of those in 20+ years. Very exciting! I see she has the makings of a talented marine biologist already. Good job!
a chris
I was going to ask, in horror, WHAT is that thing Bug’s lugging. Thank you, Norm, for pre-empting the question.
Haha. Bug looks so nonchalant. What’s that you’re staring at? This? Oh, I’d forgotten I was dragging an alien by the neck down the beach.
No, I didn’t grow up near water. Why?
Divina
Hi, SAJ! I live right down the street from Old Town! It’s such an honor having you in our town! I hope you enjoyed the blazingly hot weather. I can’t wait for the fall!
OMSH
I MISS YOU TOO! And? I’m totally going to bookmark this post to read any time I don’t feel so hot – what a shot in the arm!
beyond
beautiful. i love women who embrace their gray hair.
Jen
Wow, that photo of her and Bethany – she IS tall! And looks AMAZING. I have to say that I LOVE her grey hair. It’s more like silver. And it’s gorgeous.
So glad you had a great visit with her.
BeachMama
Brenda, don’t cut yourself short. You write the best posts and when you write about someone you meet your words flow and we all feel as though we were there. And if we were there we feel the love in your words. Thank you.
So glad you had a great time with Heather, she does appear to be a blast.
Susie Sunshine
That OMSH is a traveling queen! I ran into her and her adorable husband in Vegas in September and said hello and introduced myself and she said of COURSE she knew who I was (even though there was no way she would have, she’s just gracious and charming beyond belief). Your description of her and her smile was spot-on.
It makes me happy to hear of internet friend meet-ups. Cyberspace has its share of wackos, but it’s jam packed with goodness as well.