The Fastest Framing Lady West of the Mississippi

Greg and I were in an interesting predicament the other night. He came home from work with a last-minute assignment -- to find the perfect frame and mat for two 22x28 posters of Rembrandt's painting, "The Prodigal Son." No sooner had he walked in, then we ran back out the door to Hobby Lobby. I called it our "Date Night Decorating Dilemma." Yes, it's cheesy, but since we weren't going to be spending the night as we had originally planned, I figured cheesy was a good way to go. It was actually a really fun challenge.

We sprinted into Hobby Lobby, posters in tow, straight back to the framing department where we waited in line to speak with the very tired and worn-out looking Framing Lady. The two ladies in front of us were trying to frame a HUGE bridal portrait and were obviously having a very difficult time making a decision. Framing Lady was quite evidently at the end of her rope. The two women finally made their decision, and so Framing Lady watched them walk off and then she turned her waning attention to Greg and I.

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Framing Lady: (half-hearted) May I help you?

Michelle: Hello! We have a dilemma -- we really need to get both of these posters framed.

Framing Lady: Okay. When do you need it done by?

Michelle: (sheepishly) Ummm.......well, you see that's the problem. We need them done tonight. Is that in any way possible?

Framing Lady: (doesn't even look at her watch) No.

Michelle: Really? Oh goodness......

Framing Lady: Why do you need it tonight?

Greg: I need it tomorrow for a meeting at work.

Framing Lady: (SIGH)

(continued discussion -- It's 6:30 PM, and Hobby Lobby closes at 8:00, so it's obvious why she doesn't want to do it that night. Eventually.....)

Greg: (half-joking with a big grin on his face) Do you take bribery?

Framing Lady: (she smiles) Well, you know, Christmas is coming up. And I like dark chocolate. No nuts.

Greg: Oh, okay. I'll remember that.

Framing Lady: (sigh of resignation) Okay, I'll do the pictures for you.

Michelle: (sigh of relief) Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You're the best!

Framing Lady (looking over the top of her glasses): Mmmm hmmmm. Be back in half an hour.

(Cut from the scene. Greg and Michelle run out of the store as quickly as humanly possible, drive to WalMart, buy copious amounts of Hershey's and Ghirardelli dark chocolate, wrap it in a gift bag, and buy her a card with about 20 versions of "THANK YOU!!!" on it. Drive back to Hobby Lobby and run as quickly as humanly possible back into the store, totally out of breath. The posters are sitting out and they look amazing in their black distressed wood frames with gold filigree border. We are in awe.)

Framing Lady: Do you like 'em?

Greg and Michelle: Wow, they look REALLY good!!!! (we give her the gift bag)

Framing Lady: (laughing) What, is this for me????!!! (the biggest smile EVER spread across her face) Oh, my goodness! Thank you! I can't believe you did that!

Greg and Michelle: No, thank YOU!!! You're the fastest and best framer ever!

(Exit.)
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It was a crazy night, but all in all, the poster looked amazing, we had an odd date night, solved a decorating quandry, got to meet an awesome lady who had mercy and grace on us, and we all got to make each other smile!