Rachel and I met online
greg | January 30, 2010We’ve probably told you the story about a rock climbing trip with Park Community Church. And it’s true, the first time we met face-to-face was on a ferry headed into Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin.
But that was not our first encounter. Our first encounter was in an email chain earlier that week. Dan Hanson, the trip organizer, sent an email to the five of us who had volunteered to cook for the 40 people coming on the trip.
I had been living with Rene for three years and was comfortable in the kitchen, though I had never cooked for 40 people. I did what we do at Table XI and asked a bunch of questions.
Emails are traded. Possible menu items, including chili are discussed.
And then I receive the first of what will be thousands of emails from Rachel Lazelle.
More emails are traded over the next few days. We decide we don’t have enough crock pots for chili. Wednesday night I pick Rene’s brain until 4am and he comes up with the killer idea of pulled pork sandwiches. I can’t wait to suggest it to the group.
Unfortunately, I open my computer in the morning to find the menu has already been decided.
I take a shot and offer an alternative…
… and I am promptly shot down. (no hard feelings Zhenya!)
Dejected, I tell Rene the news.
But wait! Who’s this coming to my side?
Energized by the support of this unknown woman, I bounce back…
And then I receive the first of what will be thousands of words of encouragement from Rachel Lazelle:
