A few weeks back Nora and her family came for a spell. (Don’t you like resurrecting words from 8 million years ago and using them like they’re current? The other day I said “that would be tops!” I think this makes me cool, but it might just make me a hipster…either way I’m tops! )
A great time was had by all- until it was time for them to leave. That’s when I over heard Aidan tell Gracie “We should have just gotten married today Gracen. Then I could just have spent the night!” to which my wise (and holy?) daughter replied “I know, But Aidan you can’t sleep here until we’re married!”
A-flippin-dorable! I don not think a day has passed that I haven’t given thanks for their sweet souls and heavenly connection. Some things are fate(d)- I don’t know if they are actually going to get married someday but I do know they were meant to be best buddies just like Nora and I. And for those of you wondering Nora and I do not encourage their marriage talk- I promise they keep this up all by themselves. When they left Gracie said “I wish they had choosen a different house, but they choose the house they choose.” It is not lost on me how wise that statement is or how graciously she has allowed them to move in peace.
I am not that gracious or accepting, perhaps it needs to be said again- my heart aches daily for them to return to the East Coast. And I know I’m not supposed to say that, but I really am not one to follow rules, social conduct, or personal boundries.
This past weekend my (other) best and oldest friend came for a visit- sans her new cutie pie husband. She was in NY for business (she’s very important and busy) and found some time to extend her trip and visit with us. I’m still unclear how this was a vacation for her or honestly even something she volunteered to do- BUT we’re super happy that she did.
There was a time not too long ago where Erin lived on the East Coast too, before moving home to Chicago. I did my best to convince her how awesome the garden state is, that is, I dragged her to Home Goods, a watered downed strip mall, Home Depot, and a farm disguised as a zoo. I mean if that doesn’t scream move here and start your life with us, I just don’t know what does!
Erin and Nora are Jude’s Godmothers and it always makes my heart sing to be able to say that. They impart so much wisdom on Jude- it’s God this, Jesus that… all the time 🙂 Just kidding. Mostly they spoil him rotten every holiday and give him lots of hugs and kisses, which is as good as gold to cuddly Jude.
Erin taught Gracie how to take a selfie and every time I see this picture my eyes well up with tears. Can you even ever know how amazing it is to watch a human you knew as a child, hold your child? Can you comprehend the significance of that? I see this picture and I’m six again. There are no words for the absolute love I have for my friends. We’ve all been here before, together, forever- I wasn’t kidding when I said BFF. I meant that.
I simply don’t get enough Nora and Erin time in my life, and as years goes by and time moves forward, I wish I had known how hard it would be to get time together. There have been husbands and babies and work and careers and all of those blessings leave less and less room for time together. I wish that’s what someone had told me before getting married and having kids. I wish I had known how my life would become a series of moments that come and go far too fast, not nearly as often as I’d like.
I find myself checking flights to Chicago wondering how I can get across the country with one or both of my kids and spend more time with my best friends.
The good people of Giift.com ( https://www.giift.com/en/) have a solution for all of us who sign up for rewards and wait to cash them in- or never cash them in. They understand that your time is valuable, literally. Giift.com/en will redeem your rewards points into things you actually want and actually use and actually need. Check out their website: https://www.giift.com/en/
and cash in your rewards for a Little Love Stories video or an airline ticket to see your best friends or send your best friends a gift that says I love you more than you can ever know and even though I don’t see you everyday I carry you in my heart. Okay so maybe your gift will sound less dramatic than mine- but you get the idea.
