She Always Knows How To Make An Entrance

Back a millenia or two ago, I was sitting in the church choir loft rehearsing with my fellow cantata crooners when the doors to the sanctuary burst open and a young girl in a dress, no less, tumbled merrily down the center aisle bellowing something that resembled a feminine Tarzan yell.  This young ball of fire named Lydia was the new preacher's daughter and she literally exploded into our lives and stole our hearts.  Girl knows how to make an entrance.

Lo and all these many moons later, my dear friend was on her way to visit me again here in the KC area and sure enough, arrived with a flourish.  Our last mondo snowstorm was bearing down on us here and she was arriving barely ahead of it in a small aircraft owned and piloted by her new paramour John.  Arrive they did, just as the snow was about to fall. 

I met them at the Elms for the grand reunion and showed them around the Grande Dame.  I met them and my friend Kiko for dinner at local favorite Ventana Gourmet Grill.  We had discussed the possibility of a Liberty spot for dinner but Ventana made for the perfect evening and presented a great opportunity to show off one of Excelsior Springs' primo spots.  Over sips of Promiscuous red and platters of bruschetta, Thai salad, burgundy steak, broccoli alfredo and homemade mocha cheesecake we caught up and laughed despite the snow falling ever harder outside.  Lest anyone think Lyd was any less crazy, she waited until I went to visit the loo and came pounding violently on the bathroom door only for me to come out and see some unsuspecting diner Lyd had set up to "take the fall".  She was cowering in the corner, giggling maniacally like she has since childhood. 

Back at the table, it was great to see one of my dear childhood friends getting to know Kiko, one of my favorite local friends while I coerced John into indulging my geeky questions about his FBI career.  Lyd settled into her personal bliss listening to the live piano player.  Soon, I had to hit the road to get ahead of the growing snowstorm.  On Sunday, once the new foot of snow was settling we had mutually agreed to stay in our corners and as I had set up a suite, spa treatments and a bottle of bubbly with chocolate-covered strawberries for them, they were set to enjoy a relaxing day.  Monday morning, we caught up over PB&J French Toast and coffee at the Elms before we bid a tearful goodbye.

It was a over in a flash but as we live so apart, I treasure every moment I get with my favorite preacher's daughter.