August Happiness Challenge ~ August 11 ~ Friends & Locksmiths

Friday night I came home from hanging out with Shannon. I put my key in my lock and turned, and turned, and turned. The lock spun but did not open. Great. You know that moment when you're confronted with a challenge and hope that you'll be resourceful and independent but instead *blink* *blink*?

I pulled out my cellphone and called my husband who was out with his Friday night friends. They immediately started brainstorming strategies. My sister-in-law joined the think tank and got on the phone to locksmiths, finding someone local and affordable. Shannon got a call every few minutes to get an update. My husband grabbed a cab home.

And I sat there reading a book on my porch, watching who comes by our home on a Friday night. I saw 4 drunk teenage boys shocked and angered by the fact that taxis wouldn't pick them up. I saw a young couple fight and make up, going from sobs to kisses. I saw lots of dog-walkers and people on their way out. I felt calm. My honey came home and brought his interrupted dinner. We sat on the porch sharing pasta with a plastic fork and waiting for the locksmith.

The locksmith was young, polite and professional. He had us in the house in no time. We even took the opportunity to get him to key the back door lock, which I didn't even know was possible. Replacing our locks had been on our list since we moved in 2 years ago, and now suddenly it was done.

So on Friday I learned that a locked door can be opened without a key. I learned locksmiths can create a keyhole where before there was none. I learned that things can turn out better than expected and what starts out feeling yucky and uncomfortable can sometimes turn into a romantic moment on the porch. And most of all, I was reminded that I am not alone.