I am so blessed

The other evening, my dear friend Mieko emailed me at work saying she needed to see me because she was being stalked. I was more than just a little concerned so I told her I'd finish work up and meet her. There was some strange aspects though; she wanted to meet at a cafe because her artist friend had an art showing. And she couldn't meet later because she had a party to go to. Not behavior I'd expect if she was being stalked.

Anyway, she picked me up with a taxi, and we headed to the cafe. Noriko was going to join us too.

We get there, and Mieko immediately begins looking at the art. Then she finds her friend and starts talking. I was getting impatient because in my mind, I wanted to hear about the story, and see if I could find this guy and punch him. How dare anyone upset Mieko!

But then the artist friend walks to me and says, "Hi, I'm Georgianne Fastaia...oh, you don't know why you are here?"

huh??

She pointed to one of her paintings. It barely registered since I was so confused, and still very much focused on my fury against this stalker. She then said, "I painted this for you. Do you recognize it?"

huh??

The lighting was a bit low, so it took me a while, but after a better look at a one of the paintings, I realized, oh-my...it's of a couple kissing...and there are those recognizable gigantic flowers...

Yep! Mieko had organized with Noriko and a group of friends back in Tokyo to chip in to commission a painting of Dav and me from our wedding. Holy cow! A painting of us!!

I had no idea, and still can't get over this gift that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

I immediately called Dav, and although he was stressed from work (he came because he thought it was about a stalker too), and just as surprised, it slowly dawned on him too what a beautiful gift this is. The painting and the gesture.

The painting is titled "Sunflower Wedding on the Playa; inspired by the love witnessed."

Thank you, Mieko, Noriko, Kojo (also known as DJ Spacewalker), Kei, Tatsuo, Kenji, and Izumi.

You are all such wonderful friends, and I am so blessed to know you!