chicago smiles

I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3


We started the day as new friends, and ended as kindred spirits.

Kate and Katherine are the most lovely, beautiful, creative and talented of women … and fast becoming amazing friends!  Oh the damage we could do if they lived closer!

We met in Chicago for a day of fun … only to arrive during a torrential downpour.  I arrived Union Station at 9:30, hopped a ride to Millennium Station to pick up Katherine at 10:30, and met Kate, who drove, immediately after.

We ran to Kate’s car in the rain and ended up sitting … in. her. car … for well over an hour as we became fast and furious friends!  When we finally looked up from our conversation, we’d realized it had stopped raining!  Up next was lunch and then off for some fun!

Chicago Smiles!

We found a street not too far off the beaten path.  We set up a beautiful red chair.  Large red balloon in hand.  Chocolate kisses to give out.  Token polaroid ready to be taken.  Mustaches ready to be used.  Encouraging signs prepped.

Silliness started.

People intrigued.

Blessings given.

It was absolutely amazing the reaction people … complete strangers … had towards us.  People couldn’t help but smile, they couldn’t help but participate!

We had a bridal group, a woman bringing home pizza, business men, families … and they all smiled!

amazing
wonderful
dazzling
unique
lovely
fantastic
delightful
spectacular
beautiful
charming
loved


That’s what you are!


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22 Comments

  1. Cathy June 9, 2010 at 7:38 am

    Oh my goodness! SOOO much fun! (And the top pic of the three of you–adorable!) :)

    Reply
  2. katherinemarie June 9, 2010 at 8:03 am

    and now I’m SMILING HUGE and laughing all over again!!!!!! (and a little tear in my after after reading your beautiful recap)… this was a day I’ll never forget. Thanks for sharing your amazing self with me. I’m blessed beyond imagination to have a friend like you!!

    Reply
  3. cyndi June 9, 2010 at 8:22 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  4. Heather June 9, 2010 at 8:37 am

    LOVE THIS!!! A great idea and sounds like a ton of fun!!! Good to have friends with you when you step out of the old comfort zone right?

    Reply
  5. Sara June 9, 2010 at 8:57 am

    FUN!!

    Reply
  6. Trish June 9, 2010 at 9:00 am

    Thanks for posting this…it made me smile!! :)

    Reply
  7. Kate June 9, 2010 at 9:10 am

    Wow! What a fabulous day! A day I will treasure forever!!!! Thank you to sooo very much!!!!! Now when can we do it again! LOL!

    Reply
  8. Dawn June 9, 2010 at 9:29 am

    lovely, crazy, fun! if i had come across this in my town… i wouls have participated, then hung out all day watching the rest unfold!

    Reply
  9. Tiffany June 9, 2010 at 9:33 am

    So cool!!! You all ROCK!

    Reply
  10. Stacey June 9, 2010 at 9:59 am

    What a great day! I love it!

    Reply
  11. christine June 9, 2010 at 10:03 am

    whoaaa… this is fantastic! tracie, you have a lot of blessing befriend with someone like them… cant say anymore but you guys are wonderful!

    Reply
  12. Rachel June 9, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    am I sensing a road-trip across America and a book in the works? ;-)

    Reply
  13. Leslie June 9, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Coolest. Idea. EVER!!! How totally fun!! You 3 rock!!

    Reply
  14. keely aka LKP June 9, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    you gals are totally rad.
    what a fantastic idea! =)

    Reply
  15. Sue June 9, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    wow, how amazing you are with your new found friends! It made me smile to see all those pictures!!!!

    Reply
  16. Andressa June 10, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    I love your blog!
    I live in Brazil and I love reading your posts. Access all day!
    Kisses

    Reply
  17. selena June 10, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    my hometown! what a beautiful idea. marvelous pics.

    Reply
  18. Amy June 11, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    You are one amazing woman. What a fun gift to give people. I bet you made their day. I can’t wait to meet you IRL someday, hopefully sooner than later.

    Reply
  19. Nikki June 12, 2010 at 4:23 am

    What an awesome idea!! I love it!!!! Looks like heaps of fun :)

    Reply
  20. Jen June 12, 2010 at 9:29 am

    I love this idea and think it is so cool that you and your friends did this! I wish I had cool peeps in my side of the world like you all to do something like this with!!
    It made me smile, and I’m sure you made many smiles and touched the lives of strangers on this day as well.
    :)

    Reply
  21. Michelle June 15, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    this is the coolest thing ever!!

    Reply
  22. Debbi June 16, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    This is awesome! Had a smile on my face the whole time I read your post.

    Reply

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