From Empty Tables to Serendipity

I recently decided to do something simple but meaningful: gather a few moms from a local Facebook group for breakfast. You know, just a low-pressure, come-as-you-are kind of meet-up—because motherhood can feel so isolating, and sometimes you just need a cup of coffee with someone who gets it.

To my surprise, 64 other moms responded with interest. Sixty-four! I was genuinely excited, maybe even a little nervous. I showed up at the café the morning we had planned, hopeful… and sat alone with my son.

No one came.

I won’t lie—it stung a little. Okay, more than a little. I started spiraling a bit, wondering if I’d misread something or if this just wasn’t meant to be. I had put myself out there, and it felt like a flop.

Fast forward 9 days.

I packed up my jewelry from NorthcastMN and headed to a spring fashion show where I was set up as a vendor. My table was full of pieces I had made with care—each one a little reflection of creativity and wanderlust. I wasn’t expecting anything major, just hoping to connect and share my work.

And then I met her.

The woman selling her brand next to me had that kind of energy that immediately felt familiar—easy to talk to, thoughtful, inspiring. We spent the day chatting between customers, sharing stories about our businesses, and laughing like we’d known each other longer than just a few hours.

It was such a powerful reminder that the right connection doesn’t always show up on schedule—or even in the place you expect.

I went from feeling invisible to feeling seen. From an empty table to a meaningful conversation. From disappointment to serendipity.

That’s the beauty of showing up anyway.

So here’s to the connections that find you when you least expect them. And here’s to continuing to create space—for real moments, real people, and the magic that happens when you just keep going.