Hanson, Disney World, and Bacon: A Couchsurfing Saga

I just spent the day at Epcot, for free, with a personal tour guide from France.  It’s funny how random connections can bring new friends and so much adventure into our lives. That was what happened to me.

A little over a year ago, I (Kinda) got a Couchsurfing request from a girl in Paris. She was coming to Tulsa, Oklahoma, of all places, to see the band Hanson.

Her name was Lauren, and she beamed enthusiasm. Every other word was Hanson, and she grinned every time she said their names. I found myself a little sorry I hadn’t kept better track of my hometown band. My friends and I took her to her first Oklahoma barbecue food experience, and we all tried the caramelized bacon. (Which was also compared to Hanson). She spent the night at my house, hit the road, and we kept in touch through Facebook.

Fast forward a year. Lauren moved to Florida, and I was scheduled to speak in Orlando. So of course I called up my Couchsurfing buddy. She now worked for Disney World in the French Pavilion at Epcot, and I couldn’t wait to see her again. We met up for lunch – a pasta dinner she created. As I toured her new apartment, I noticed the familiar Hanson posters on the walls – a touch of Oklahoma carried to Florida.

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We spent the afternoon talking about travels and France, and she used Cheetos to map out places I should travel. It turned out she also got free buddy passes being a Disney employee, so she invited me along to Epcot.

Not only did I get to see a place that wouldn’t have made it in my budget, but I got to see it with a friend. It was an amazing memory.

Friends give our lives texture; they make it richer. It’s tempting to stay in our tight, comfortable circles and never reach out to anyone new. Yes, it does take effort to step out of that comfort zone, but it is worth it. You never know what connection you will make or what unexpected joy someone will be in your life.

Here is your challenge for the week: Meet a stranger. Talk to someone you would normally pass by. Ask them about their life. Even host a Couchsurfer. You may just find a new friend to eat barbecue and talk about Hanson with.