My daughter Abby and her daughter are in class together and have become close friends this year. Abby kept begging me to reach out to her friend's Mom so they could hang out outside of school. After asking many times I decided to write a quick note to Abby's friend's Mom just explaining that our girls are friends and that it would probably be a good idea for us to meet so they can spend more time together.
I'm a little bit of a "Hover Mother" and I don't allow my kids to go to a friends house if I haven't met their parents.
I gave Abby the note and told her to give it to her friend and ask her to give it to her Mom. I really didn't think about it much after that. I kind of expected one of the girls to lose track of it or forget.
About a week later Abby handed me a note, it was a response to mine. She had sent her phone number so I text her and we set up lunch together.
I really didn't expect much from our lunch other than to meet her and make sure she was normal enough to let my daughter potentially spend time at her home and visa versa.
We had a pleasant lunch that didn't seem "hard" if that even makes sense. She was easy to talk to and it didn't feel like we had any awkward pauses where we were trying to figure out what to say next to someone you really know nothing about.
After lunch I made sure to text her and let her know that I enjoyed our time together and would like to do it again soon.
A couple of weeks later it was the Christmas Break for our school district. We had decided to meet for lunch with all of our kids at Chick-Fil-A. I was excited to see J again and happy that Abby and her friend would see each other but kind of nervous about bringing all three of my kids, all of them together can be a little overwhelming all at once. Despite my anxiousness our lunch went well, our kids seemed to get along very well and Orin did his thing in the play area. I was happy that J and her three daughters left before we did because Orin had a total meltdown when it was time to leave the play area. It was one that only an Autistic kid can have and I was the Mom carrying my son out holding him sideways while he kicked and screamed. When this happens to me all I can do is smile at everyone staring. Most of them totally get it but some don't, yet. As J and her kids were leaving she invited my family over to her home that evening so that we could introduce our husbands to the friendship. J met Chad and I met her husband K. We all hit it off and got along great! I was so thankful! As I'm sure so many people can relate to, I have girlfriends and our husbands don't hit it off. I was SO happy that we all got along so well. Chad and K have so much in common its kind of scary, and so do J and I. Our kids are getting along and Orin has become J's little boy to play with, her part time "adopted" son.
We've all hung out several times since that first initial invitation over to their home and have made plans together for the coming weeks and months.
J and I have so much in common. I lost my Mom almost 5 years ago and she lost her Dad recently. Not that it is a good thing to have in common, but we both understand that horrible loss. Our Mom's are (were) very similar. We are both just starting to experience raising a teenager with our oldest daughters, we have common interests and have just really enjoyed spending time together.
I'm so lucky to have a big handful of ladies that I'm close with and I'm thrilled to include J in that exclusive group. Girlfriends are such a blessing and bring so much joy into my everyday life. I don't know who I would be without these incredible ladies being on this journey with me! I love each of you!
Melody, Sally, Amanda M, Amanda B, Amanda V, Kim, Brandy, Andrea, Molly, Renee, Janine, Donna, Jessica, Lauren, Beth M, My Bunco Ladies, Jennifer, Aitza, Katja, and Aimee (I have a feeling Abbey will join this list soon), I love you ladies! I have nothing but respect, love and admiration for each of you! Thank you for being so important in my life! I also have many friends who I know a little more casually but are so important to me too, too many to list but I'm lucky to know each of them!
J, if you read this, I'm SO happy to have met you! I'm excited for our game night this Friday and everything else we're already planning! You have a place in my heart, I'm looking forward to our friendship growing even stronger! xoxo
Until next time, count your blessings! :)
Sara
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