It was a Friday, and Groundhog’s day in 2001. I spent most of the day in Chicago for work. There was something special in the air. I now know what it was. Traveling in my cab to airport to catch a 5p Flight to Minneapolis I remember having a fun conversation with my best childhood friend, who was gathering with others at my house to greet me. Since it was my birthday weekend, we were going to go out on the town to celebrate. Most of us were single, so that adds another element of excitement to the mix.

I showed up at my house, 20 minutes North of the airport and to my surprise were 5 of my best buddies, big smiles and all, ready to get the evening started and get downtown. I showered, dressed and we were on our way.

Something was still in the air. A 70’s cover band, “Boogie Wonderland” was playing at one of my favorite music venues, “The FineLine” on 1st Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. I remember going to the 2nd floor balcony with the boyz and meeting a few more friends as well. We had about 10 boyz in our group that evening, having a few cocktails, doing whatever it is that boyz do on a Friday night.

I’ve never been afraid, or had a problem with approaching the ladies. I’m sure I’ve made a fool of myself a time or two. I saw 3 nice looking ladies dancing to beat the band near the railing on the 2nd floor. I decided to walk over. I asked the ladies, “Does anyone dance.” One of the ladies, Michelle, grabs her friend, Jessie, and throws her at me. In slow motion, something special “WAS” happening… Jessie launches forward, and about ready to do a face-plant from Michelle’s force, I lunge forward and save her from hitting the floor, and a lifelong of unpleasant dentist visits. We exchanged small talk, re-taught her how to jitterbug and the rest is history and none of your business.

At the end of the evening, the most beautiful woman in the world in slick red pants was giving me her business card. Talk about the use of technology, I emailed her the next Tuesday and mentioned how much of a pleasure it was to meet her. We went out that Friday night and small boutique restaurant, where I later proposed to her, exactly 1 year from the day I met her – Groundhog Day.

What I didn’t know until years later is that they had seen us group of boyz earlier in the evening. Jessie had also noticed me. We laugh about this story today. Yes, it was the fall that sealed the deal in my mind, but really what sealed the deal was having good friends around us. Had our friends not been able to visit and get along that evening, we would not have sealed any deals, nor exchanges of business cards. We were brought together for a reason – through our friends.

So Kid’s, always surround yourself with good people, good friends and you’ll be just fine. And, if a true friend throws you someday, have faith that he/she may be doing it for a reason, and somebody may catch you.

Congrats to the following runner friends who led TeamEHFAR:

1/2 Marathon:
Male: Christophe Ducuns, 7th Place overall, 1:28:57
Female: Jessie Pickar, 8th Place gender, 1:42:15

10 Mile:
Male: Greg Kaiser, 10th Place overall, 1:14:33
Female: Jessica Robb, 18th Place gender, 1:22:38

5K:
Male: James Kilibarda, 26th Place overall, 24:25
Female: Leah Danz, 8th Place gender, 26:57

(Click on race above to view full race results)

Next TeamEHFAR event: ”MONSTER HALF MARATHON | DASH | 5K-9″ Saturday, October 25th, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, MN, 9:30a | 10a (Costume and Race Awards)

To register: http://www.zapevent.com/ListActivities.aspx?eventid=114

“Team EHFAR” is up and running.  June 1st is the Downtown Half Marathon, 10 Mile and 5K.  Please join in the festivities and register with Team EHFAR! Use your Team Discount code from below to Register at Zap Event and receive 10% off Monster Marathon Series Races: http://www.zapevent.com/Default.aspx

Discount Code: TeamEHFAR

What are Monster Marathon Series Team Perks?

• With 20 or more Runners registered from your Team, you will have your very own 10 x 10 tent at Monster Marathon Series Events. This can be used for bag check, coffee and refreshments, or any other purpose you designate. The Team Tent can a place to meet before and afterward, and can serve as the home base on event day.
• With 40 or more Runners registered from your Team, you will receive special Event Shirts with the name of your Team. This would be in addition to your personalized 10 x 10 tent. This would be for your Company, Running Group, or Running Team and would be specific.

Hope to see you at the races! 

Justin & Jessie Pickar

A moment like this one had struck me in 2001. I was just finishing up my workout at a Health Club in downtown Minneapolis and felt energized with what I had accomplished that day. I was on my way to a better self.

While in the locker room, a man walked up to me and asked, “What does your tattoo mean?”

Having the tattoo for a few years on my shoulder, I was always anxious to tell others my story. The tattoo has a unique “pyramid shaped” symbol with the letters E H F A R underneath. I explained to him that it’s the acronym for EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, and that it’s a philosophy I live by. I could tell he was pleasantly surprised as he responded with, “Way Cool!”. He went on to tell me that he had never heard of it before and that my explanation had made his day. The man went on his way and I was gleaming with pride. I felt that I may have made a little difference in someone that day.

The very next week at around the same time, I had just finished another workout. While opening up my locker, another man had come over to greet me and extended his hand. This is one of those moments I will never forget.

The soft-spoken man said, “You’re the EHFAR guy. I just want to say thank you.”

After a moment of confusion, I asked, “What do you mean?”

He explained that the week prior, he had overheard my conversation with the man asking me about my tattoo. He went on to share with me how EHFAR had changed him. After the man had overheard my story, he traveled to Rochester, Minnesota to see his son in the hospital. His son was at Mayo Clinic battling cancer and fighting for his life. He said that when he held his son that evening, he told his son that everything happens for a reason, and that there’s a reason for this. He strongly embraced his son and said, “We’re going to get through this.”

After hearing this, I could feel the presence of something amazing and great. After taking a moment to catch my breath, I asked, “How’s your son doing?”

He responded, “He’s still fighting, he’s a strong kid!”

You see, this small moment had actually moved onto another moment, giving a dad and his son a sign of hope. I don’t know where the dad and his son are today, but my sense is that he is where he’s supposed to be, and for a reason.

This was one of the stories that taught me EHFAR is powerful, much more than just an acronym. EHFAR has reach. It reminds us all to take a moment. We can all give people hope by sharing stories just like this one…wouldn’t it be great to hear their story first-hand?

“It is a matter of spirit, not strength. It is a matter of doing your best each little moment. There’s never a break. You must have desire, a very intense desire to keep going.”
-Janet Guthrie

Thanks Rob A.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

- Unknown