Some people you meet in life just seem to “click” and you remain friends forever. This is true for one of my dearest friends. Her name happens to be the same as mine, we’re the same age, and our birthdays are only two weeks apart. We got married about the same time, had kids about the same time and still live close enough that we can still see each other once in a while.
We started out as neighbors in our first homes together — in a mobile home park. We discovered that we had a lot in common plus the fact that we both LOVE to crochet and craft. We’ve been friends and kept in touch throughout the years. Been through tough times, sad times, happy times, and several moves for both of us. She now lives about three hours from here. It’s hard for us to see each other in person now, but we started a tradition last year that we’ve decided this year we just NEED to keep going.
Last year, we met half-way between our homes in the nice, quiet little town of Mt. Grove, Mo. It’s right off the Interstate so it was easy to find each other. I moved over to her car and we talked and talked. We exchanged birthday gifts and talked some more. Finally, our stomachs started to tell us that we needed to feed them. We drove toward the town and found a wonderful little restaurant that serves a buffet of Oriental foods. Yum! It was so delicious! After we ate, we drove on into town and found a little second-hand shop. (We both LOVE looking through other people’s junk and finding treasures!) All this time, we’re talking non-stop, laughing, catching up with the news, and having a great time just being with each other. AND we came away with a few sacks of goodies we just couldn’t live without!
Well, yesterday was the day we got together again. It was almost a carbon-copy of last year. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful for a little drive in the country. We met at the same place as last year. We talked and talked just like last year. We exchanged gifts, found the same little restaurant, and even sat at the same table as last year! The food was sooooo good!
After lunch we went looking for the same little thrift shop.
It was still there and just chalked full of goodies to sort through. We had such fun! And left with sacks of just-can’t-live-without stuff!
We said our good-by’s, but not before we decided that this visit was going to have to be a yearly tradition. I’m already looking forward to next year! Thanks, Barb, for being my friend, forever!
