Aunt Jane

I had an iPhone 4 in my car. It was my intention to find it a new home, and failing that, take it to Entertain-Mart to recycle it for a few bucks.

When the whole family was in town for Danny's wedding, I gave the phone to my aunt Jane. She was without a phone. 

She wrote an email the other day to say how much she is enjoying having it. In the message, she said how much my cousin Annie (her daughter) liked having me around. She was also under the impression that Cas had Swedish grandparents. In fact, Laurie has the Swedish heritage, but who can keep track? 

Jane was once married to a proud Swede, and my dad and all of his siblings are half Norwegian, so you can imagine the rivalry. 

Anyhow, I finally got a chance to write her back today. Enjoy: 

Jane,

I am so glad that the phone is working out for you! I had it in my car with every intention of recycling it for a few piddly dollars, but only because I didn't know anyone who needed it. I love serendipity. I'll tell you a story about that phone in a moment, but I want to clear the air, first.

Laurie is the one with Swedish grandparents. Cas is mainly German. And I do remember the excessive Swede-fest that was once your home decor. If memory serves, you had a Christmas tree adorned with Swedish flags. I told Cas about the whole thing, and apparently, it does make a difference to him that my people are Norse. He said, "Well, yeah, because Norwegians are better." I certainly have found the right guy.

Anyhow, we're in the process of moving, so this is the first chance I've had to write back. It's a bit of a whirlwind.

Now, the story with the phone. I met Cas for the first time on my 38th birthday. (41 is just over a month away) A friend was having a party that just happened to fall on that day. I went, and I spent most of the evening talking to a very nice guy. We got along great, but he was a little slow on the uptake, so when I gave him my number, he didn't call. I chalked it up to bad luck and went on with my life.

That same friend organized a happy hour about six months later, and there was Cas again. We chatted and went our separate ways. Still, no call.

Finally, as the next school year was drawing to a close (I'm 39 at this point... Talk about a delay) I see this fellow again at a gathering for this same friend's birthday. It was at a restaurant. At some point in the evening, I excused myself to go to the ladies' room. I had my phone in my hand, and when I went into the bathroom, I realized my pockets were too small for it. I placed it on the top of the toilet paper dispenser, as I am sure most people would in that circumstance.

Evidently, I left it there. When I couldn't find the phone, Cas offered to call it so I could hear it ring. Someone had turned it in at the bar, and I got the phone back. I also had his number in my missed calls. Finally...

Later on that night when I was at home, I sent a text message to say thanks for the help in locating my missing phone, and that was when we scheduled our first date. So, you see, that phone is very lucky.

I'm glad you're making use of it. I figure that makes us even from the time when you have me the little, purple dinosaur that was on your desk. (Photo attached) I remember how I asked for it, and you were hesitant to say yes. I still have it, and it will be on my desk in my new house very soon.

I need to get back to it, though. Hope you're having a great weekend. It was wonderful to see everyone, and from the second-oldest of the Hinds cousins to the youngest of them, I must say, I really like Annie, too. If you only get one kid, you got the best one.

Take care!

Heather