Spring is in the air at the soccer field, and, our moment had arrived. What will I wear? I mean, I've never done anything like this before. OK, well, I've done it once before, but, I was the only soccer mom there and he was easy to spot.

Fleece. Yes, something in fleece, and, perhaps some sunglasses. Afterall, I have to stand out in the crowd. Wait, that's the same thing 1,562 other moms will be wearing. Damn, I've already screwed up, and, we haven't even met.

I go with it anyway, because, well, it's 7:15 in the morning and 30 degrees outside. And, besides, fleece and sunglasses are about as good as anything to try to cover up the fact that I'm neither young nor cool.

Upon arrival, I took a surveilliance lap around the field, without any luck. What if she changed her mind? What if she was regretting introducing herself at Beth's site where we met? (yes, we had to go to virtual Utah to meet, and, we live down the road from each other) I mean, afterall, she's hip and stuff and I am often mistaken for a grandmother.

I hung around the designated area, anyway, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. I'd worry about what to say, later. Then it happened. Our tentative meeting place was in the shade and it was cold. I gradually moved away toward the sun and began gabbing with people. Then, the kids, needy bunch that they are, drew me further and further from the spot.

Realizing what I had done, I broke away from their Push-Pop covered clutches and ran all slow-motion-TV style back to the place. But, alas, no Lucinda. Had I missed her? It was the big day for Operation Sky is Blue (our code phrase we had decided upon a while back for our meeting at the soccer field where our kids play, because we're cool that way), and, I thought I had lost my chance. Damn my need to be warm and stuff.

I made one last pass through the area after retrieving The Preschooler Formerly Known as Busy Baby from Busy Dad in the crowded parking lot. Had The Preschooler Formerly Known as Busy Baby not batted a soccer ball with his head causing it to go astray (the ball, not his head, just stay with me, OK?), I might not have stopped in my tracks. And, then I saw her. I'd have known Baby anywhere!

Lucinda wasn't far behind. Actually, she was immediately behind her, because she was pushing the stroller, but that's not important right now.

And, then? I froze. I looked at her, knowing what I was supposed to do. Seeing that I was looking at her (not in the way her husband was hoping expecting, either), she looked back at me, and, I'm sure had decided that I was some kind of weirdo for staring. I finally got out, "The sky is blue." (In my imagination, the line was a whole lot smoother).

She immediately recognized the code and we exchanged hugs. (Jeez, Mr. Lucinda, my case is not looking too good, here, huh?). I got to meet the adorable Baby, my future daughter-in-law, and, I introduced Lucinda to my kids. She got the Preschooler Formerly Known as Busy Baby seal of approval because he started showing off with a soccer ball to his head.

Though our visit was brief, she was on the way out, and, I was to be there eleventy million more hours, I didn't feel old and awkward. Her baby daughter (I didn't get to meet the others) is precious, and, Lucinda is as beautiful and nice as you would imagine from her writings.

However, we didn't talk about hoo-has once. We had to save something for next time, afterall.