One lovely friend I met when we took a random ukulele class with our oldest sons, and I was steadily so pregnant with my second that I missed part 2 of the course (which she took, even as she, too, grew increasingly round with
her #2 as well). With
evenly matched
sets of children,
we spent many
days together
at the zoo
(nursing our
second
babies in
the very
unprivate
space of
the gorilla
house), on
a sleepover
at the Field
Museum,
exploring
parks and
markets with
strollers and
blankets and snacks
for our pack of people.
Now we can leave the kids behind and enjoy wonderful grown-up date nights with our spouses along for the ride.
My closest BFF, who lives in Brooklyn, whom I met more than 20 years ago, forging a friendship through AIM and raised eyebrows across the cubicle farm in the DotCom Boom days of a San Francisco startup. Our bond has lasted through various moves, divorces, romances, career changes, marriages, and kids. This friendship has been the touchstone of my life. We've been there for the best and worst of times, all made better by knowing the other person is nearby or always ready for a late-night call or text to check in.
A handsome friend from college who has allowed me to live vicariously through his many International adventures and who now shares his bespoke and glamorous life with an equally handsome and charming husband. He knew me when we were both awkward (not ugly!) ducklings living scrappy dorm-room lives and not the confident swans we have become. We are both grateful for landing in places where we are entirely ourselves, safe, and loved.
The handful of hilarious local moms who are my local support and my village, ready with a pickup or drop off of our kids or a dose of ibuprofen or something stronger, with unfailing love and support
through the stages of
school choices and
challenges. They are
ready help of all
sorts and the
occasional
urgent text
suggesting a
Sunday
afternoon
cocktail:
"Because if
I don't get
away from
my family,
who I love
dearly, I may
go insane."
These
modern
women balance
work lives and
marriage and all the
things while somehow
managing to stay in touch.They are my everyday people with whom so much that needs never to be said, but somehow, we're always talking.
As I seal the Christmas cards and envelopes addressed to each of these incredible people, I hope they know how much I love and treasure them. In a world where self-worth is often measured in followers of varying quality, I am thankful and blessed for those in my closest circle, small in number but more valuable than any gift I’ve ever received.