Friends

Days two and three behind us and we're becoming seasoned road trippers and campers now. The kids were delighted to find out that we actually WERE going somewhere and that there would be friends and fun. The whole first day of driving, and stopping, and shopping, Nate expressed his chagrin repeatedly saying, "THIS is not camping Mommy." And indeed it was not. However, when we lumbered into Camp Lejuene late on the second day, the newest camping scene unfolded.

My dear friend allowed us to change the landscape of her front yard for our visit. We started out in the more than adequate length driveway, only to realize we couldn't hook up our electricity unless we were closer to her house, much closer. We then proceeded to back on an angle, into the grass, and r-i-g-h-t up to her front step. "Hi! Haven't seen you in years, mind if I park in your foyer?"

But as it turns out, good friends don't care where you park your camper when you come to visit. Whew.

The kids. Oh my goodness the kids. Did you know, that children start out small and grow to gargantuan proportions at a high rate of speed?? Apparently I did not know this, because the sight of my best friends children after four yours was shocking. It literally brought me to tears. They are so grown and beautiful, and we're so...old. (Not that you look old Paige, you look like a spring chicken my dear.)

Age and grown children notwithstanding, we had a blast. We talked, we laughed, we ate yummy food. We rode horses at midnight with the kids and stayed up to the wee hours. During which wee hours we talked and laughed some more. And there might have been more eating. Berry cobbler I believe it was.

It was tough to say goodbye. We promised each other we wouldn't wait so long to see each other again, like we always do. The kids didn't want to say goodbye either, but it was off to new adventures. I am buoyed entirely in the knowledge that good friends will always be there, will always be the same person you loved then and are truly one of the greatest gifts in life. Even the ones who park in your foyer.