Friends with benefits & Day 127. 238 Days left.

What a wonderful few days we have had!

Friday and Saturday my bestie was in town with her adorable man baby. We spent a few hours together on Friday and the entire afternoon Saturday. It is amazing, though we are so many miles apart, the moment we are together, we pick up exactly where we left off.

Two perfect days... but there is a shadow on those otherwise perfect days; yet again, I have to say goodbye to my bestie. She is my life-long friend and will always be a strong presence in my life, no matter the number of miles between us.


Today, I had a friend over with her two boys (come to find out they are the same age as my kiddos) for a playdate. I very much enjoyed myself... watching our children play and catching up after more than 18 years. Amazing!

Days like these make me realize how lucky I am to have met the women that I have met. These incredible women who have made me realize how remarkable we truly are, women who are mothers, who love themselves and love their kids (even on the bad days!), women that have supported themselves, their husbands, their children and their friends.

It is so important (especially with the isolation that is a part of being a stay-at-home mom) that I surround myself with women who rally around me, help me and support me. They are the reason I have not gone entirely insane.

Thank you ladies. I cherish you all.

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Day 127 of pictures
Bubbles and Tutus

and golf

My Life as Phoebe

I have two wonderful girlfriends.

If you have ever watched a FRIENDS episode you will understand the reference. I have spent many years being the “Phoebe”; that is until recently.

Both are amazing women; my best friends… I love them dearly. However, they had a bond; an unspoken bond that connected the two of them in a way that excluded me. I was never jealous; I saw it and always accepted it.

I was busy building my relationship and marriage with my husband; he was my focus.

They too both love/ loved their husbands dearly but they always had each other.

Monica & Rachel were roommates and Phoebe always "hung" around. The three of us (like them) were always a part of the big occasions. We celebrated three engagements, three bridal showers, three bachelorette parties, three marriages, graduations from high school and college, birthday parties, holidays, baby showers, we laughed and cried together and were there for loss, divorce and celebrated new life. (After all one of them ended up in the delivery room, holding my leg as I gave birth to my first baby).

Yes, in many ways our lives together can compare quite literally to a FRIENDS episode (without the writers).

Monica and Rachel spent more time together therefore they knew about any “Big News” the other had long before Phoebe. At times I felt a little hurt but tried not to read into the reasons- everyone one has their own reasons for not sharing or for withholding news, good or bad.

It was often withheld from me and sometimes I cried but I would mostly try to understand… I like Phoebe can make the best out of most circumstances. I have embraced Phoebe, I like her and she makes me laugh.

It was not until recently, that I finally felt a connection to one of my best friends. She and I finally had our own special unspoken bond that connected us; motherhood.

My Bittersweet Goodbye

All women have that special connection with another. That one friend that you know will always be there no matter the amount of time that passes or the distance that separates you. I have that friend…

There was a time just after high school we lost touch. A disagreement led to a distance and we did not talk- for several months. I had forgotten that and the reason. I have forgotten until now. But you see none of that matters and never will.

We have seen the good, the not so good, the bad and the plan-out ugly in one another. We have been friends since our sophomore year in high school (I wish I knew her sooner).

My friend moved to Ocala, Florida shortly after her wedding. It was difficult; I felt as though I was losing a part of me. This is the person I could tell anything to. I spent countless number of nights at her house and I could go and visit her whenever I wanted. She was leaving…I would manage. (My husband added unlimited long distance to our phone plan. A phone conversation was never under two hours!)

We did the long distance travel (approximately 232 miles separates us or 3.3 hours doing 70mph) and the long phone conversations. Now something has changed.

I have two children; A daughter 2 ½ years and a son 9 ½ months. She surprised me the day after my daughter was born. It was that moment I realized just how much I truly valued our friendship. I always knew how important she was to me but that moment made me realize just how much I loved her. She traveled down Thanksgiving Day to see me and my first baby; how truly wonderful.

She now has a son (her first) and I drove with another girlfriend the 232 miles to surprise her (the day after Easter)… I couldn't imagine not being there; what a special moment.

Well, she spent two days here this week. Two wonderful days our children spent together. We caught up, watched our babies play, held them, took 80 pictures and just talked. On day two, after another 3 ½ hours, we had to say goodbye.

My daughter did not want them leave. We walked her and her baby boy to the car, gave our hugs and kisses and said our goodbyes. I did not want to let them go.

I walked into the house and suddenly it was the three of us again; I realized how much I missed her already. How I wish she were here so we could watch our children grow and play together.

Even though 232 miles separates us (or now 3.9 hours doing 60mph) we will never be far a part. We share a special connection, a secret bond called motherhood. And each time we see each other we will appreciate that time spent together even more. That is why our goodbyes are bittersweet…