I still recall the email
An invitation of a lifetime
A chance to meet a top tier publisher
Her people reached out to me
I felt instant elation and sorrow
I had no way of getting to the meeting
It was a time before ride-sharing services
And no one from my area was going
I had to admit it to myself that it was not happening
I had to tell them thanks, but no

The day of the meeting, my heart sank
I so wanted to be there – to have had the opportunity to say yes
To have gone
But hours after that meeting had happened,
I met my now husband online
Had I gone to the meeting, I likely would not have met him
Looking back now, as much as that publisher meeting meant
I now realize that destiny had other plans
I would change the life I have now for nothing in this world
Even top tier publishers