Ladies Who Lunch

I am so thankful for old friends. I don't mean OLD, as in aged, I mean friends I've had for a long time. It is so nice to know that there are people in the world who regularly see you without your hair done, make-up on and, given the day, showered, and still love you anyway. The friends I'm talking about are those who don't care if you cancel on them because you get the chance for a nap, or who don't mind watching a movie at home (with all the kids) because it's too much of a pain to find a sitter and go out.

I am blessed with a group of friends like this, and I must admit that I didn't realize how rare this was until lately. My friend Heather has been a part of my life since we were 13. Boys have come and gone; we made it through high school; endured the early years of marriage and are raising kids together. Her husband is in the Army and our friendship has survived through moves relocations and deployments. Our families get along great and we have been lucky to be able to go on several trips with them.

Through the years, our friendship has expanded to include several others... mostly because of Heather. I think her somewhat nomadic existence causes her to hold on to her friendships really tightly. This is a good thing because I'm of the opinion that when you get to a certain age, with any number of kids and the distractions that go with them, it is hard to make new friends. That's not to say that it doesn't happen, but the amount of energy needed to seek out, nurture and enjoy a friendship is not for the faint of heart. Because of Heather, and my own move five years ago, I have had to make new friends. It's a beautiful thing!

While Heather has been home through her husband's last deployment to Afghanistan, we have both had babies. I hope that as the grow older, Luke and Will become friends just like their older siblings are. We have enjoyed our semi-regular Girls' Night Outs and have loved the comfort of a well-seasoned friendship. As she is preparing her family for a move to their next assignment in Maryland, she decided to throw a Valentine's Luncheon for her friends and their mothers. No detail was too small, and nothing was forgotten.

The food was great.... an awesome fruit sorbet salad, homemade orange rolls, chicken kiev (made from scratch) and rice pilaf. She had chocolate-dipped strawberries and raspberries and I supplied (notice I didn't say "made") baby bundt cakes for dessert. Our friend Lacey, and her mom brought a yummy Italian soda-like beverage, and our girlfriend Sally brought an awesome spinach salad.



Heather planned a craft and had everyone tell a favorite Valentine's memory. We all had some good laughs and really enjoyed each other's company. It is very interesting to see my girlfriends with their mothers. Not only are there physical resemblances, but it is fun to see where everybody gets their personalities. Lacey's mom, Christy, taught her everything she knows about decorating and setting the mood. Sally's mom, Pat, exudes Sally's same sweet spirit; she is the very example of love, compassion and thoughtfulness. Heather's mom, Carla, has a flair for the dramatic just like her daughter, but helps me to really enjoy the small things that make life wonderful (like chocolate-covered strawberries.) My mom and I, well, we just kind of hang out on the sidelines; trying not to get in the way, and just generally observing and enjoying everyone else. I don't know that I realized this about myself until I sat there yesterday, with my mom. I can get in the middle of things, but I guess I choose not to most times. I know I wasn't always like this, but have become more this way as I have aged.



*Note to self, make sure to encourage kids to stay involved in the middle.... life is more interesting there!

Anyway, it was nice to have time with my girlfriends. It is these girls, and the others I have met along my path that pick me up when I'm down, love my kids as much as I do, take the time to help me with my problems and make my life worth living. I am so grateful to have them in my life!