I saw a pair of monkey pictures advertised for a steal ($15) on Facebook Marketplace right before Christmas.

Although our “library” is far from completed, I knew these pictures would be perfect for that room. I made contact with the seller and because I live about an hour away from her, she volunteered to bring them to me because she has family in my area and would be visiting them in the next week or two.

Fast forward to this weekend.

I decided to take the camera out on Saturday and head about an hour north to Midway, GA where they have a historic cemetery and museum. I messaged the seller of the aforementioned pictures, as she lives in that area, and asked if she might be available to meet up and exchange pennies for primates.

She agreed but was vague on the time she would be available.

I messaged her when I was done touring the museum and she (after much silence and odd messages) agreed to meet me in a public place (smart girl) in about an hour. I killed some time and then arrived at the rendezvous spot early only to receive a message from her that she wasn’t feeling well and might be a few minutes late. Then a message that she had been pulled over for speeding and might be in more trouble than that due to some confusion about a previously unpaid ticket and would be unable to meet up with me at all.

She was coming off as very odd and frankly unbelievable.

I wanted to be compassionate, but I felt like I was being played. I felt like there was some sort of deception going on, although for $15 I couldn’t figure out the angle, and I was irritated.

I drove the hour home fuming.

Later that evening, I got a message from the seller asking if I wanted to come by her house the next day and pick up the pictures. I was ready to just be done with the whole thing, but I love a challenge (or a quest as my husband dubbed this) and agreed to make the drive up once again.

I was not optimistic.

I was waiting for the last minute message telling me something had come up.

I was waiting to make the long drive for nothing.

I was waiting to be lied to and disappointed.

I was waiting for my skepticism to be rewarded.

I was waiting to come home empty handed.

I had already written this person off as kooky and was preparing myself to treat her as such. I would make a snide remark about the pictures not being such a bargain after using a tank and a half of gas to drive back and forth, back and forth to get them. I would allude to game playing and wasting time.

When you expect the worst from someone, it often brings out your own worst side. I am not proud of myself, but my first line of defense is a good offense and I had my hackles up and my armor on.

I was ready to mirror her behavior back to her—fight crazy with crazy if you will…. and then she walked out of the door.

She walked out of her house and a feeling came over me, told me to do the opposite.

So I hugged her.

Those who know me in real life are reeling because I am not a hugger. I have a big personal space bubble and I rarely venture out of it or allow others into it but I violated everyone’s personal boundaries and hugged this stranger from the Facebook Marketplace.

And she hugged me back. She hugged me hard and for a long moment.

Turns out she is just a regular woman, juggling a sick child, the flu and a series of unfortunate events.

Turns out all of the things I thought were too unbelievable to be coincidence, were in fact, true.

She sent me a note later thanking me for being so kind. Thanking me for the hug and for listening to her. Telling me how much she needed someone to just be there in that moment with her.

I thanked her for the pictures, promised to think of her when I see them, and thanked her for being an honest person.

It is always nice when life and people surprise you in a positive way

It is even better when you can surpass and surprise yourself.