The Abbey

It was late spring at Louie’s on the lake. The deck was full with people facing the sails floating, and the sunset lowering below the dam. While everyone was entranced, there was one oddity. “The Abbey.”

She faced away from the water, her smile full of anticipation, joy in the white of her eyes, the breeze fluttering through her brunette hair, as she stood leaning against the railing. “The Abbey” was here, with her heart fluttering for some reason with avid anticipation.

But this night was different because she had just received her first $20,000 bonus from herself, due to her clothing store’s success. While she stood waiting for a gentleman, her mind was racing on how to invest $20,000. Not just investing it but investing it in a way that would change the lives of others. Investing that would allow other young ladies to chase their dreams and having the confidence to write their dreams in their own “Little Black Book” like hers. Her mind racing of how to use this unexpected $20,000 to do unexpected things for others.

The bizarre thing was that while Abbey had some new surprises in her life, as she championed through her mid-thirties, nothing overall had drastically changed about her since she was a high schooler. Since Jr. High, she had been used to being the center of all the eyeballs. She had grown accustomed to the adoring stares from the boys to men, and the aggravating look from their dates. It was simply part of living the life as “Abbey.” From cheerleader to business owner, to social princess, Abbey had never met a day she didn’t love and live to conquer. Many thought the eyeglasses were just part of the sexy façade, but the truth was, they were part of the brilliant mind sitting right behind the sexy façade. Abbey was so much more than another “looker.” She was actually one the of most brilliant, talented, creative, up-and-coming business owners of the region.

One would step into her clothing store in a regular, normal mood, but leave believing in the same confidence that Abbey possessed. She didn’t dress her clients, she caused them to step into their destiny, find their identity, and leave knowing they too could conquer daily challenges. She wasn’t dressing people, she was transforming them into the women for whom they had been created to live. Transforming their doubts into attributes, their hurts into healed scars leading to hope, and the low self-esteem into confidence.

She was, “The Abbey.”

Kyle had just turned forty. He had grown up in poverty, but through destined breaks of luck and hope, he had grown into one of the 40 under 40. He had turned his small business into a daily success, that would afford him all the crazy luxuries of life.

Beyond all hard-earned rewards of life, Kyle possessed the scars of the poverty as a child, the seasons of not knowing if the business would make it through the downturn of the national economy, but most importantly, he possessed a bizarre empathy that most in his position of life would not experience. A softness in his heart that he had always possessed, but grew as he matured through his hurts.

On this perfect eve, the sun halfway sunk, the sails glistening where the breeze of life directed them, Abbey continued to look away from the beauty in anticipation of seeing her new “friend” walk onto the deck. At that very moment, Kyle dressed in almost the identical outfit strolled around the corner with a glisten and confidence in his eye. As he did Abbey’s natural smile expanded that much more. While Kyle would calmly, but nervously, stroll across the deck. His hands tucked into his pockets, his sunglasses adorned (hiding the excitement in his eyes to not give away his giddiness) and walking with the natural façade of confidence that any 40 under 40 would project.

The deck was now complete with two of the most stellar, brilliant, creative, wanted attractive people around. It was in that surreal moment the deck would go quiet (at least in Kyle’s and Abbey’s heads) and everyone was watching a power couple connect on a perfect night with sunset and sails as their backdrop.

As they both greeted one another with nervous confidence, the manager escorted them to the best two chairs on the deck with two frozen drinks awaiting, and a divine relationship launching.

For hours Kyle and Abbey sat and conversed about all aspects of life. Abbey would share the pros and cons of being a beauty queen growing up, having to put that aside to discover her creative brilliancy, and how to apply that to becoming an independent, successful businesswoman. One that would find her success rewarding, but understood the opportunity to transform lives through relationships that would begin with, “what kind of jeans do you enjoy? Abbey shared her story, and for the first time since the phone call conversation that had changed his life, Kyle was intently listening to a new friend share her story in a way that would change him for eternity.

As Kyle began to share his story, at first, he thought Abbey was uninterested. She sat intensely staring into his eyes, a consistent grin on her face, and nodding her head as the story unfolded. “Was she ignoring him?” No. Just the opposite. She was seeing past the clothes, the success, the accolades, and the physical greatness, to the greatest heart she had ever seen laid bare. She was speechless and infatuated with all aspects, not knowing where this evening would lead, yet leaving her heart trembling. What if Kyle ever found out the “truth” about the real “Abbey?” Would he walk away? Would this even count as a date? How bad would the rejection hurt? Was she deceiving him? Each nod as she listened to the story represented more doubt and questions in her mind. She wanted all of him, but would he want any of her if and when he discovered “the truth” about her.

They began to wrap their conversation, with things quickly moving towards the awkward moment of what the rest of the night might represent. Abbey became coldish towards Kyle, wrapping things abruptly with a simple kiss on the cheek, and a “let’s connect tomorrow. I’ll have a big surprise for you.” While she did this to “protect possibly hurting Kyle,” it was her own heart that was aching with pain. In his mind, he was looking and talking to the “full package.” While in her mind she was confused and doubting there would be a future once the surprise was announced. At that same moment, the truth in Kyle’s mind was, while he did find her physically attractive, he found her heart, mind, and soul dazzling in a way like he had never experienced. Even if physically, she had been just “okay”, the man was officially hooked. What would the next day hold? They would both find out.

Abbey with reluctance, due to her surprise. Kyle with a teenage glee.

That next evening, they were sitting in the romantic environment at a steakhouse on Boulevard. The wine was perfect. The lighting enchanting, and the music a low rhythm that simply created peace. They were laughing, and sharing stories, when Kyle confidently said, “Okay, tell me your surprise. I want to know everything about you.” Abbey’s countenance dropped, she reached into her purse, and pulled out a “Little Black Book”, handing it to Kyle with her hands shaking. She said, “It’s better for me if you just read, I can’t get it out of my mouth. Because I’m already hooked on you.” Kyle responded, “I feel the same way, so whatever the surprise is, there is nothing to worry about.”

Kyle opened the Little Black Book to the first page finding a title, “Things to experience before I die.” Leaving him thinking, “Okay, what’s so embarrassing about a bucket list?” As he turned the page, it jarred him, beginning to change his life forever.

The List:

1. Meet someone, before I die, that will love me for my identity.

2. Meet a “friend” that it’s obvious we're in love, but that will accept that I can’t marry him, due to the hurt of someday leaving.

3. Continue to look as beautiful as possible every day, to encourage others in their real identity.

4. Encourage every person, I contact.

5. Live every day with a smile.

6. Have a friend who will love me for the rest of my life.

7. Pass with dignity, creating a “legacy of living”.

8. Always remain positive, and never doubt why this is my path.

9. Invest her $20,000 into clothing for 40 young ladies, who possessed the “it” factor, but not the ability to invest in themselves.

Kyle sat awestruck. The “Little Black Book” sure wasn’t one like he had ever seen! Directly under the list, there was one last sentence: “Turn the page for the timing of meeting my goals.” He quickly turned, “what was happening?” As Kyle looked at the next page the heading was, “Timeline for my goals”, followed by, “After meeting with my oncologist today, my dream list timeline was quickly accelerated. I still believe I will experience every dream! Timeline: 4 months!” Kyle’s heart dropped. He thought, “What can I do? I love this girl now more than I ever thought.” Abbey looked at him with tears and a smile. She simply said, “Surprise!” They ordered wine and dessert, hoping it would drown the pain.

After dessert, Kyle got up from his chair, took Abbey’s hand, and got down one knee.

With tear-filled eyes, he said, “Abbey, you are the most beautiful person I have ever met. Your value to me far surpasses all of the “stuff” I have ever acquired. Out of honor, I will not ask you to marry me, but… I love you. Can I be your friend for every second of the rest of your life? I promise to wash you with honor and dignity, make every second count, and make the dreams in your LBB all come true?” Without a moment’s hesitation Abbey simply nodded her head, “yes.” Then said, “With one condition. You have to go into the clothing store, help me meet with 40 young ladies through technology, helping me change their lives forever. Promising all of the $20,000 has to be gone before I draw my last breath. Say ‘yes’ to that, and you get a ‘yes’ from me. Oh, and you have to give them each a Little Black Book, teaching them how to write their dreams.” Now Kyle nodded in tears and said, “I’ll raise your $20,000 by giving another $20,000 to help others live into their written dreams. I’ll help another 40 girls.”

For what would turn into 4 months, Kyle spent every day treating his best friend as his queen. While honoring her dignity, he would become her personal caregiver. Kyle’s dreams were simply to meet Abbey’s dreams and needs with the dignity she so richly deserved. Letting it transform his heart and soul forever.

Included in that 4 months was the awkward moment of a 40-year-old man meeting young ladies at a clothing store to invest in their future. But, through technology, before she drew her last breath, Abbey had invested $20,000 and 40 LLB’s into 40 young ladies whose lives were transformed by one person’s dreams.

Today if you go to the deck on the lake, you’ll see a sculpture of a beautiful 35-year-old young lady. Leaning with her elbows on the top of the railing, with anticipation of a new friend to turn around that corner. “The Abbey” still stands smiling today, inspiring thousands. That no matter what this crazy life throws your way, there is always a reason to dream, smile, and keep your goals in your own “Little Black Book.”