July 25th, 2016

Our days have been FULL this past month! Between summer travels, visitors and fighting jet leg, there hasn’t been much spare time to sit and share stories. I have so much to catch up on! Its my desire to keep this journal in chronological order as much as I can which means going back a few weeks to the faces we got to see on our whirlwind visit to the mountains we still consider home. I actually wrote this post once before but hadn’t finished it and then it somehow disappeared. So here is Take Two!

We left INCREDIBLE friends when we moved here. We “grew up” through our twenties and thirties with so many amazing folks who shared life with us in the mundane and the significant. We are better people for getting to rub shoulders with each of them and we miss them DEEPLY.

When we returned for Claire’s wedding, we tried to reconnect with as many friends as possible. Some visits were planned in advance, others were spontaneous. In the process we burned the candle at both ends and in the middle! Sadly, we still didn’t see everyone we wanted too, nor did we have much time with the folks we did get to see. Even so, my heart was overflowing when it was time to leave. What a gift!

Here is a look back at our time in the mountains and many of the faces we treasure…

I texted this picture to Hubby who was on his journey back to Germany after our time at the beach together. I took it shortly after our plane landed. How we wished he could have joined us for this leg of the trip!

Daniela and Thomas~

 

Our niece picked us up from the airport and lovingly hosted us our first night with her husband, Thomas. It was fun to see more of their “neck of the woods.” I especially enjoyed our picnic in their neighborhood park!

Audra and her family~

 

 

They provided a home away from home with lots of love, great conversation, kid companionship, babysitting services, delicious food, piano lessons and more! It was a wonderful place of respite in the midst of a whirlwind visit!

Stephanie and her kiddos~

Audra set up a playdate with Stephanie at a nearby park. When Steph arrived, I walked over and surprised her by asking if I could join them. She screamed and laughed all at the same time. I couldn’t wait to hug her again!

Amanda and her family~

 

Amanda and I were both in the same Masters Program almost seventeen years ago and have been friends ever since. I love how our kiddos are now friends too! I’m so glad we got them all together again and for heart-to-heart talks.

Book Group at Kevin’s House~

 

What awesome people, food and conversation! The boys LOVED playing with Kevin’s girls who they have known since they were babies. I could see their beloved Mama, Heather, in the girls faces.

Miranda and her family~

The boys were wanting to see their ol’ babysitter. They are BIG fans of hers and like her sister too! The girls watched the boys while I met with Claire at a nearby coffee shop. I enjoyed catching up with them and their Mother over lunch.

Leta (hubby, Jim) and Julie~

 

How minutes slip away into hours with these two! The boys loved getting to roast marshmallows around Leta’s fire pit. I loved both the ease and the depth of conversation…which is always the case when we get together.

Grammy Julie and Bobbie~

 

 

Bowling (Grammy showed us her amazing moves), lunch date, yogurt run and mini-golf…we relished every minute reconnecting with these two! If only we could  somehow stop the clock. Goodbyes were just as hard this time around.

E’s sweet school friend since Kindergarten (and her family)~

 

Another request of a face the boys really wanted to see. Her Mom and I are friends so I was excited too! We surprised them by showing up at their new house and welcoming them to their neighborhood. So fun!

My Platte House Roomies~

Three, out of four, of my old roommates were in town the same week we were! We met for breakfast and could have stayed through dinner. These women teach and inspire me. I treasure the longevity and depth of our friendships.

My thoughtful friend, Lara, watched the boys for me while I was at my reunion breakfast. When I came to pick them up, these were a couple of the faces that greeted me! Needless-to-say, the boys had a blast with old friends.

 

Kam~

S’s godmother joined us for lunch after church. Sadly, his godfather was on travel but we got to see him in Germany a few months ago. Even over the miles that separate us, they still shower us with love in sweet ways!

Elizabeth, Mark and their girls~

 

 

We spent our last few days with old friends that recently moved back to the mountains after we left. Their home was a mountain retreat! Awesome friends, delicious food, a wonderful stream to play in, AND a pedicure!

Nancy (I didn’t get a pic. with her so I’m using the one we took together before I left)

A woman who started off as a mentor and quickly became one of my closest friends. She is also S’s other godmother. For years, we met for breakfast on a regular basis. Sitting across a table with her again was good for my soul.

Our Old Home Group (L->R…Jack & Bridget, Amos & Lara, (me), Mark and Elizabeth)~

 

We met together in our mid-twenties to study scripture and share life. Many moved on but a core group of us stayed connected. Now all our kids know each other too! What a gift these friendships have been to us over the years!

Peggy~

 

The Mother-of-the-Bride, E’s godmother and a kindred spirit in endless ways! I was so thankful for the conversations we managed to squeeze in throughout the week. She took us back to the airport…the last face we saw. Love her!

We came home exhausted but all these faces made the lack of sleep worth it! Thank you to everyone that loved, cared, fed and served us while we were amongst you. My old roommate, Steph, even loaned us a car for the entire length of our stay. Those wheels enabled us to visit with as many faces as we did. My gratitude runs deep.

The gift of community is truly priceless!

And to those faces we missed this time around, I’m so very sorry…