20 years from now.

Friday was a beautiful, sunny day. Reaching temperatures of nearly 77 degrees, I couldn’t believe that February could be like this. After a crazy busy morning/early afternoon, I went to join my friends in the sunshine. I was wearing shorts and a tank top, reading some C.S. Lewis. It was beautiful.

Some of the group left to go get some work done, but Sarah, Katey, and I stayed in the sun. We were lying in the grass, our feet up on a tree, just chatting. And then something surprising and encouraging happened.

A man who must do some form of work on the grounds of Biola pulled up near us in one of the golf carts that they drive around. He told us that 20 years from now, we need to come back here and remember times like these. He said that we need to bring our children to this tree and let them see where we used to sit and talk when we were in college. We all smiled at his words.

He then informed us that when he graduated high school, he went to a junior college, and missed out on these kinds of experiences. But that wasn’t the end for him, which is where my favorite part of the story comes in. In 2006, he graduated from Biola. He said it was a lot harder with a wife and three children, but he did it. I was so blown away with his perseverance. He said a few parting words and went on his way. We never even got to ask his name.

The three of us discussed what had just happened and were all filled with joy because of it. Thank you, mystery worker. Thank you for reminding us not to take these days for granted—that’s far too easy to do. Thank you for encouraging us to enjoy every moment. Twenty years from now, I think you know where you’ll be able to find me.

I love days like these.