How Far Would You Travel for the "Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon?"

By: Guest Blogger ~ Lisa Sarell

How far would you travel for “The Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon?” Well, that is the “million-mile” question.

In 2010 my dear friend, Angela traveled through several time zones, all the way from Seattle, WA to attend the Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon. Why you might ask?

Well, our story begins over 25 years ago when we met on a military base in Frankfurt, Germany. Angela and her husband, Jones were both serving as Sergeants in the Army and I was stationed there with my husband, Eldolphus who was also a Sergeant. Angela and I “connected” and immediately formed a friendship, becoming “Bes-Tees”

We have been through Dessert Storm and numerous military conflicts together – supporting each other through the miles with phone calls, Emails of encouragement and LOTS of prayer. Eldolphus and I are the Godparents to their daughter, Lashonda and Angela and her husband are Godparents to our son, Ayden.

When I told Angela (an avid reader) about the plans for the first Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon 2010 – she knew that there was no way she could attend (being so far away), however she shared my excitement and commenced reading the book so we could discuss as if she were attending the luncheon.

Angela’s husband overheard her excitement when she was discussing the luncheon with me over the phone, and devised a plan of his own. He called me to get all the details (date, time…etc) to set up a Mother’s Day surprise.

On Mother’s Day when she opened her gift, she was elated to see a plane ticket with the destination: "Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon!!" Angela was so excited that she immediately called me and said…

”Why didn’t you tell me?…I need to get a hat!!”

So, "hats off" to Angela Jones, the guest that has traveled the farthest (2995.5 miles) for the Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon, Amelia Island.

No matter how you slice or dice it, 3000 miles is a long distance to travel for literature, but if you ask Angela, I believe she would say it was well worth the trip.