The most effective way to do it, is to do it- Amelia EarhartEarlier this week, I went on one of my favorite walks yet.
A walk with a great friend I had not seen in 10 years. One who moved very near to me a few months back, that is now leaving again.
She had not even gotten the chance to meet my kids yet.
We were always active with each other on the Facebook, little messages here and there.
I am regretting the time I spent in the periphery of my friends life. She struggled silently, for months, and I had no idea. Now she is leaving the area again. Probably for good.
I am beyond grateful that even amidst the stress of packing, and parenting, and relationship struggles she made the time to meet up so we could at least catch up before we said goodbye.
We had tossed the idea of going to see a movie. Maybe The Fault in Our Stars or Maleficent.
That meant I would need childcare because my 2 year old will not even sit through a kid's movie. Let alone a dialogue heavy grown up movie, or a possibly scaryish one. I really wanted my son to meet my friend and her kids though...
Then I thought- Movies are super expensive. She is moving. She doesn't have a job lined up yet, she will be paying for 5 tickets + we won't be able to chat and catch up in a movie.
So I asked if she wanted to go on a hike instead, since it is way cheaper and will give us more time to chat.
Thankfully, she accepted.
We had such an awesome time. Our kids immediately hit it off.
I am totally kicking myself for not doing this sooner. We both just thought we would have more time.
In total there were 9 of us (including my husband and her daughter's boyfriend) wandering through the woods together. When we arrived at the Sound the kids dispersed with a little encouragement and we were able to sit quietly and talked until the sunset. A total luxury when there are small children afoot.
It was an intense talk that yanked on my heart strings. It also reinforced the respect I have for this friend's inner strength, compassion, and selflessness. She is a golden soul and I am so grateful to have these new memories to put in our lifelong memory bank.
On to the photos;
It's the day after Independence Day for us in the USA.
Growing up this was always such a fun holiday,wasn't it?
It still is so much fun.
As a child, when the 4th of July arrived, I felt like it was a pre-party to my birthday, as my day is only 4 days later. Right around the 5th, I would get really excited for my day.
I'm not as giddy about it as I once was, but I am still so thankful to have taken my trip around the sun again.
Back to our celebration this year. I took the kids to see How to Train Your Dragon 2. Turns out noone goes to the movies on 4th of July, which is great since my youngest doesn't tolerate sitting still for very long.
The movie was good, at least the parts I saw whilst my son ran laps up and down the ramp at the entrance to the theatre, so as not to disturb the moviegoers.
My daughter liked it.
We went out to dinner, and afterward got together with some neighbors and had a block party. Lots of fireworks and fun.
This year I tried something different, and released sky lanterns.
They will definitely become a tradition in this house. They are beautiful and everyone enjoyed them.
They created a perfect moment to reflect on our freedoms, make wishes for the future, release, and watch them float away. Bright and steady against the alternating dark, and perilously explosive night sky.
It was a great way to slow the kids down after they ran amok all night.
We are all bleary eyed today, but we are hoping to enjoy a hike together this weekend.
Hope yours is fantastic!
