adjective, hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.

 

“How happy are you?” was basically the first thing I asked Amy with as much enthusiasm as I would have if we’d been long time friends and she just told me some really great news!

 

But we weren’t long time friends. I hadn’t even met her or her husband, Dave, yet when my family and I approached the sweetest little food truck I ever did see on Sunday during our Daycation trip to Buena Vista. Here, take a look:

 

 

 

 

My query only seemed natural as I took a look around the small lot where their truck took up permanent residence. Three wooden picnic tables with lovely tablecloths and flower bouquets were set up opposite the truck; a vintage refrigerator box held ice-cold refreshments…except the handle was “hotter ‘n blazes” so there was a well-loved ovenmit attached for our use as not to burn our hands; three pink plastic bins hung from a tree branch nearby that held bags of chips and other snacks…see?

 

 

 

So, maybe I caught Amy a little off guard by my enthusiasm because only after a short pause and a frozen smile on her lips (but only for a split second, long enough for me to think she was processing what what I had asked) did she answer me with, “Yes! Yes, I am very happy!”

 

I just had to ask her, because I knew how happy her place made me and I could only imagine how abundantly more happy it must have made her-afterall, that was her life!! Running this super sweet food truck in Buena Vista with her husband. Promoting good food, amazing vibes and whimsy all around! I mean, come on! 🙂

 

My enthusiasm didn’t cease, and after my family and I expressed our dire need for some quenching of our thirst and made our purchases, I stayed up at the window to continue our visit, which was growing into a lovely and memorable experience. After introductions were made, Amy asked me what I do back in Colorado Springs.

 

You might imagine how bubbles of excitement began rising up in me at this opportunity to tell her that I make button flower arrangements! So, I said this:

“When I’m not raising my children and working part time at Starbucks, I make BUTTON FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS!!!” It is entirely possible that I shouted…

 

But the shouting for emphasis was well recieved because she shouted back at me this: “BUTTON FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS? I WANT ONE! I NEED ONE FOR MY TRUCK! DAVE! (she shouts to her husband) SHE MAKES BUTTON FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS!! DO YOU HAVE ANY WITH YOU (she asks me)??”

 

This was when the shouting stopped and I had to tell her that just hours earlier when Chris and I packed the car for our day trip I had removed all of my arrangements from the previous day’s sale at the farm and art market. Even then, I was so happy to get to tell her that I sell my creations at a farm and art market…as if it were validation or something that they are actually good! So she asked if I had any pictures of my arrangements. Do I have pictures…! That’s like asking if I have any pictures of my children!! And, yes. Yes, I do!

 

As I was perusing my phone for some pictures, I heard Dave and Amy talk about how they hate cell phones and wish they could get rid of their’s. Maybe they would just use walkie-talkies to each other because the only people who need to reach them are, well, each other, I think!

 

So they loved what they saw in my pictures and Amy shared with me about how she came upon her truck when it was just a “big old white marshmallow.” She and her friend cleaned it up, painted it gloriously and fixed up a kitchen inside and the rest is history. She cooks all of her food from scratch and offers up wholesome, natural goodness (except has real food for kids…as she so’encouragingly told my boys).

 

Pleasantry after pleasantry and happy words after happy words, my family and I were on our way. Already I felt so overjoyed at the exchange that had just happened with my new friends!

 

We continued with our daycation. Hiking, exploring, eating ice cream….and then it occured to me that I did have two button flowers hanging in front of my face all along! I had attached them to my rear view mirror months ago for the purpose of creating a little happy in the car!

 

“Chris!” I said with a short-kind of breath. “These! I can bring these to Dave and Amy! I need to go back!”

 

So, because I married the best guy on the planet, he simply said, “Ok!” And began driving in the direction of Lovin’ Spoonfuls. He parked the car, I untangled the stems from my rear view mirror, hopped out and scurried across the street (that’s what I did, I scurried).

 

As I approached the window of the truck, I saw Amy inside preparing an order when she just quick looked up and told me she’d be right with me…but then she saw it was me and came over. I held out the button flowers and told her I wanted her to have them. They were the only two on me and had been hanging from my rear view mirror.  I explained that when I remembered they were there, I realized that they must be for Dave and Amy and they needed to hang them somewhere in their truck.

 

Amy squealed in delight and Dave told me I was making their day! But, in fact, and I told them this, they had already made my day! They thanked me and thanked me and as I ran back to my family, they were still trying out different places to hang the flowers!

 

A short while later, Chris and I and the boys were playing around the rocks by the river and I was replaying what had just happened in my mind. I thought, that is exactly what it’s about. I didn’t know these friends, they didn’t know me. But what a very positive experience that had just occurred. That is what needs to happen more, I think. Good vibes, reaching out to each other with good intention and friendly feelings. That’s what promotes happiness, if you ask me…

 

Now I have two new friends and two of my button flowers hanging in a FOOD TRUCK  in Buena Vista! I had to shout that because of the added bonus of the food truck. If you know me, you know that I love, love, love food trucks.

 

So, I wonder, what little gem in your life might promote some wildly excited Colorado Springs girl to ask, “How Happy are You??”