I have a friend and her name is Mary-Anne, Merman, Miriam. Some of you may know her as well as I do, others may just know who she is and some of you wouldn’t know her if you ran into her!
Meeting Miriam changed my whole life.
I know, that sounds so dramatic, but here’s why…
Miriam had a huge influence on whether or not I got the job to work as her receptionist in July 2009. I was in the middle of Year 12 and I hated school. Looking back, I think I was just really lonely, but I dreaded going every day. One day the careers teacher came to me and said she’d had a call from the Practice Manager of a physio practice who was looking for a trainee receptionist. I jumped at the chance, had the interview (in my school uniform lol), did a trial day, and got the call to say I’d got the job! On my trial day I discovered that this beautiful blonde with a cute bob cut went to the school I did. We also found we had mutual friends and knew a lot of the same people (because of school). I feel like that may have given me the edge over the other girl who had a trial…maybe haha.
The next thing that Miriam did that has changed my life was start going to Gateway Church. When she first started attending, if “you do you, boo” was a saying then I would have said that to Miriam, but the joke’s on me because the way Miriam described church had me so intrigued that I ended up checking it out myself. Seven (or maybe eight) years later and I’m still here! I am sure that one day I would have found my way into a place like Gateway Church without Miriam, but I am grateful for the timing she went that gave me room to follow.
Work days then became a time for recapping what new thing we’d learned about who God was. They also became the times where we’d recap on this mystery boy, Craig! I don’t feel like Craig was gradually weaved into conversations, it was just all of a sudden, there he was. “Craig did this. Craig said that. Craig wore this…” Haha, it wasn’t quite like that, but his name was mentioned quite a lot in our little office. And I am 100% glad it was. The way in which Craig and Mim have always gone about their relationship has always been something I’ve admired. They adore each other but more importantly adore God and that is something I have seen from those early days back in our office and something I’ve taken into my own relationship.
Today is Miriam and Craig’s 5th wedding anniversary. I couldn’t be a prouder friend of the two of them if I tried. I know that I’m not the only one whose life is drastically different because of their influence, kindness, and love. As individuals they’re incredible, but as a team, they’re really something else (in the best kind of way).
Today is also Miriam’s 30th birthday… So, happy 30th birthday, Miriam. I know my life would be far different to now if it weren’t for you. I needed someone to follow and you were that person and I am so glad. You will forever be one my favourite people and know you will always have the place in my heart right next to where Nutella, choc-coated Tiny Teddies & Ribena sit. ♥
Han xo
Hannah Proctor 