When the Universe Just Lines Up

My story "A Best Friend Crush" in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul gained a new chapter.

The original story tells of my journey to reconnect with my friend, Jacob. At the time I wrote the story, he and I had only shared texts--as we live in different towns now and the pandemic limits travel, I never planned that we would be given the opportunity to meet in person.

Yet in the city this week, we found each other in Downtown Toronto!! My mom was walking a few steps behind me when suddenly she called to me. It was Jacob! I don't think I have ever run faster down the city streets! I'll always remember his smile when he spotted me.

He knows about the story and is totally cool with me publishing it! Another high school classmate of ours also messaged him about it, although I had already told him personally.

The next day, it happened again! This time my dad noticed him as he was walking home from work. I gave him a copy of Chicken Soup and signed it!

Seeing him gave me the strength to face a difficult week, as well as confidence in the gifts the universe has to offer.