We had a couple over last night for the first time in several months. They aren’t just acquaintance friends, they are long-time, way-back friends. They are I knew him before he met her and I knew her before she met him friends. They are friends we got to watch fall in love over ski trips and Alias, friends who came to our house the night they got engaged and didn’t even have to say any words because we just knew.
We stood beside them as friends when they said I do, The Man in his suit and I in those heels and our littles holding onto both their white flower baskets and onto me as I said this at their wedding. They came over regular and played with our kids on the floor in front of Dora, and then patiently waited as we put them to bed. As the kids slept quiet in their cribs, we’d all settle in to watch LOST together because it’s just not the kind of show you watch alone. A few years later, we prayed for them when they wanted so badly to have a baby of their own, I was sad for her when it seemed it wasn’t going to happen, and we were excited with them as they felt moved toward adoption.
About a year ago, they sent in the initial adoption paperwork and I thought I knew how their story was going to play out. Until four days later when she pulled me aside at a wedding of a friend: Don’t freak out and she sneaky showed me a photo on her phone of a positive pregnancy test. Needless to say, I freaked out. Because she is a long-time, way-back friend and that’s just what you do.
So tonight, they came over for dinner and Chuck – different show, same old times. As the evening passed with a familiar but new set of rhythms now that they have a baby of their own, I realized how very much I love these friends, these times we get with them to catch up and laugh and watch great-to-us TV and eat too much ice cream. We may not be able to do it as often as we used to, but today I remember to remember to love that we did it last night.
Maybe you are living in the midst of normal weekly gatherings, or friendly dinners, or favorite TV night parties. Because you live in the midst of them now, it is hard to see the gift they will be to you when the regular isn’t regular anymore. What are the gifts you are living today? Open them up and tell us what they are.
If you would like to join in, welcome! If you have questions, check out the information on my Tuesdays Unwrapped page. If you are reading in a reader, you may have to click over to see the links and I really hope you read at least a few. This will be our last Tuesday to unwrap together until November, so let’s make it count.
What a blessing that kind of friendship is!
It Feels Like Chaos´s last [type] ..Attack of the Cookie Monster!
True friends. I love the words you said to him at their wedding. It’s what men need to be reminded of every now and then. Is this the same friend who married in SC that you blogged about? Time flies.
Different girlfriend…although that girlfriend is pregnant too now!
Wait, I just put the holy trio together… you and I watch the same kind of tv. those three are the best shows of the last ten years, in my opinion. I already knew I liked you, now you just get awesomeness points!
Oh, this made me teary!
I had the utmost privilege of taking my friend to her first scan last week, to find out for certain they were expecting & that baby is well. It has been a l o n g journey for them too, and such a precious thing to be part of.
Emma´s last [type] ..the front yard tuesdays unwrapped
Ah! This is so heartwarming to read – thank goodness for those kinds of friendships!
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Sweet Black and White Portrait
friendships are such links to who we are… and i love that they can grow and stretch and change, and that we adapt right along with them… sounds like it was quite a celebration! can’t go wrong with chuck and ice cream!
Dawn´s last [type] ..no matter what youre wearing
How special! I have just one long-time friend, but it seems as though we can always just pick up where we left off. We’re geographically separated, though, and I miss the face-to-face communication.
Melissa´s last [type] ..Fridays Fave Five- Faith- Family- and Friends
Aw, that’s sweet but makes me sad that I’ve missed out on all that!
We used to live down the street from a pair of good friends, and spent lots and lots of evenings at their house. They moved away, and we really felt the loss. It would all be harder now, anyway, with little ones needing to go to bed, but what’s wonderful is how easy it is to pick back up when we do manage to get together. A long absences doesn’t change a thing.
Kathleen@so much to say, so little time´s last [type] ..You know it’s time when…
Oh, to have that kind of friend. We have moved so many times that we don’t have any of that kind of friend around. Every now and then we get to connect with one–but only every now and then. Your post makes me yearn for more, and reminds me of that song we sang in Girl Scouts:
Make new friends
But keep the old
One is silver
And the other, gold.
I am so grateful for friendship. And for you.
Richella´s last [type] ..The sweetest gift
i love that pic of stacey with her gown on. so so sweet. hey, i have an idea…if you’re my wedding photographer for my kids, i’ll plan yours.
but today I remember to remember to love that we did it last night…
This took my breath away. I want to remember to remember to love those moments; more than just a fleeting sense of satisfaction that the last dish has been washed and dried, I want to remember to remember to love the meal that was eaten off of it, and the fellowship surrounding it.
I am thankful with you for *those kinds of friends*.
Thank you.
(that was me on that last comment… forgot my website!)
This just reminded me of my special friendships… what a blessing they are.
Thanks for this. I needed a “what it’s all about” reminder today
Goosebumps of joy for your friends and gratitude that God has blessed me with similiar friendships. This is a beautiful hymn of hallelujah for the gift God has given.
Nancy´s last [type] ..Safe In The Arms of Love
I love this ‘friend’ story.
My two best forever friends are both gone now, and my new friend of only a few years has moved to Washington.
I never made friends easily, but when i did it meant alot.
Thankfully i have my Old Guy and family, so i am far from alone.
And, i have this blogger world, which is amazing.
linda´s last [type] ..Nasturtiums
How beautiful to have friends like that…….. and that you have kept in touch throughout the different phases of your lives…….its precious the way you just enjoy each other’s presence and share the joys, sad times, challenges of life. What a true blessing you have in these friends!
I love the joy you captured on your friend’s face while she was pregnant. I can’t help but smile too.
What a cherished friendship, such a gift!
imoomie´s last [type] ..Surrounded…
Mmmmm, beautiful. This made me sigh with longing. I live 1,500 miles away from my BFF — the friend I could hang with and munch nachos and guacomole while our kids ran wild in the backyard. We have good friends here in Nebraska…but yet it’s not quite the same. So I get this. And I miss this. Living vicariously through you today.
And a word about my link…it’s definitely an unwrapping…but a little more bittersweet than usual. But I didn’t want you to think it was all grief…I probably don’t make that clear enough in my post…but there is joy there, too.
Michelle @ Graceful´s last [type] ..Bittersweet
I love this Tuesday blessing you are sharing and can’t wait to read others stories. I misunderstood the permalink thing but will fix when back home at computer. Blessings, P
Polly´s last [type] ..Adoption 101
What a lovely blog, I’m so happy for your friends and that everything worked out in the end!
Harriet´s last [type] ..HTC Desire HD
These are truly the moments that build a life. Thank you for sharing and bringing us together to do the same!
HisFireFly´s last [type] ..On- In and Around Mondays – Rest
Oh my I am so super de duper obsessed with Chuck. We just dumped our cable RIGHT IN TIME FOR THE SEASON TO START and I’m dying. I mean, I haven’t had a chance to watch it on the internet…is it on the internet? BUT WHAT IS HE DOING (don’t tell me) WHERE IS HIS MOMMY!?!
Don’t tell me.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..The Detour
How did I miss that you’re taking a Tuesdays Unwrapped hiatus? Oh, yeah. Maybe the fact that I still have 600 unread blog posts in my reader. Too busy enjoying the moments with my family and friends, and my husband’s and my 12th anniversary.
Sounds like a lovely evening, and what a blessing to enjoy time with them and the much-desired little one.
Thank You for giving us permission in a way, to be thankful. To take notice. David and I have been having a great time speaking it everyday and unwrapping the moments.
Much Love to you.
I think I might have to go and cry now. Seriously. My linked post is heavy, because my heart is heavy. Your post is beautiful.
I love this post… true friendship carried through the years is such an incredible gift!
what a wonderful blessing for your friend! over 100 links! awesome.
melissa~afamiliarpath´s last [type] ..Weekend mornings
I love having friends like that!
I bet some poor dying little child somewhere is really wishing she never got pregnant.
oh my word, that is kind of strange that you would say that. She is still planning to adopt, but they have to wait 2 years per the rules of the country where they have chosen.
Oh awesome! Well it wasn’t clear, and I know a lot of people who only want to adopt because they can’t have their own. I hate that sentiment and I feel bad that so many people are busy having their own children when there are SO MANY that need homes.
I know, that’s a hard one to reconcile – so many babies who need a home.
Sorry if I sounded harsh. Pre-coffee reading you see. And pent up anger at the world for being so cruel to children sometimes.
No problem. I’ve seen you here before, actually. You were harsh then, too
Called me materialistic and gluttonous. But I know sometimes it’s easy to comment before we think about how it may come across. Although that time, I think you meant to be harsh.
Well thanks for being understanding anyways, I can be really mean and I know this. Especially when I am trying to understand something…whether it be a lifestyle or something else I don’t agree with or understand. People perplex me and then make me angry, and eventually it subsides but I still want to get reactions out of people. So there you have it.
Oh how I love stories of friendship. This is a beautiful one. And I had to smile when I saw your sweet prego friend cozied up to her hubby on the bench–I recognized the photo from my guest post and those great pics you put in to make it so story-like. : )
Scooper´s last [type] ..Multitude Monday- 14-26
That’s a beautifully written article. Kind of makes me sad thinking about people I haven’t spoken to in awhile.