Get Back To Blogging: Day 2 Post

Today is Day 2 of the Get Back to Blogging and the task is to re-upload a post that I wish more people had read. Then explain why it was important to me.

This is the post I chose to share again:

Pasta Love
Original Post Date: 11/10/09


Friend 1 to Friend 2: “You sleep with ziti?”

Friend 2 to Friend 1: “What?!”

Friend Group: All in hysterical laughter.


I guess you had to be there; and I am so glad that I was!

Our family paid a visit to our old “hood” this past weekend. It’s been at least two years since our last visit and nine years since we left the sleepy little town nestled in Northeast Pennsylvania.

I once wrote that when you reconnect with an old, good friend after an absence, an ease and sense of comfort sets into your soul and it seems as though time has not passed at all. This weekend we reconnected with not just one friend, but twelve! Four could not make it due to other plans, and they were missed.

This group of couples actually feels more like family than friends. When my husband and I started our family it was hard not being close to our immediate families. We were pretty much on our own as my family was at least 3-hours away and my husband’s was a solid 5-hour trip. They say that kids bring you together and this rang true as I became involved with playgroups. Because most of us were in the same boat, we relied on each other for everything. We brought our kids together to play while we drank coffee and discussed preschools, shared recipes and story time at the local library. We even shared babysitters, which was like sharing gold.

As the kids got older, we began to have more dinner parties, game nights and wine tastings just to have an excuse to hang out more. Being a transient area, folks moved in and out on a frequent basis. We lucked out, because for a good 5 years we were all rooted in this town and I really believe this is what helped in creating great friendships. I have never laughed more than I have with this group. We had fun each and every time we got together.

I can still remember the morning I had to tell my best friend that my husband and I were relocating. I was devastated. We were doing our “5k” running course that morning (we ran and talked a lot!) and we added a little extra to the loop and went through town. It was an early fall morning-we always ran before our husbands had to leave for work- the sun coming up and the air cool. We just made our way down Main Street and were in front of the firehouse when I stopped, hunched over and started sobbing. I’m sure my friend was in the middle of a story and was wondering why I wasn’t commenting when she looked around and saw me behind her. I remember her coming up to me and placing her hand on my back asking if everything was alright. I blurted out “NO! I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to tell you; we’re moving.” She stood up and started running down the street mad as all hell. I was mad too. My comfort bubble had just burst and it was a scary thing.

Luckily, our friendship is strong and true and has lived through not only my move but hers as well. Her family recently moved back to our old stomping ground and hence a visit and party to reconnect with our group of friends. As they all began to arrive with hugs and smiles and more hugs, we all settled into our story sharing and how are you’s with ease. The laughs were constant as the birds and bees, religion, and politics were all stirred into the pot; nothing is off limits with this crowd. Since most of us have not seen each other in about 7 years, pictures of the kids were passed around and we all realized that our children are growing up too fast! What happened to the little 4 and 5 year olds we last saw? All of them are becoming young ladies and gentlemen. As for the parents? I think we all look damn good!

I have missed this group, my "friend family", very much. When I’m with them, I feel my guard is completely down and I soak in all the joy that is in the room. To quote another friend “You know, this group has always been great; I can never leave an evening without my cheeks hurting from laughing so much!”

Laughter is medicine to the soul and I’ll take that dose anytime.

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Why did I choose this post? I love the friends that helped to shape us into the folks we are today. We have a bond that has tested time and when I look back on that short time in our lives, I sometimes miss it and those that made our days so special.

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**This week's posts will be done as part of "Get Back To Blogging" through SITS and a sponsored giveaway provided by, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. The item(s) up for grabs are "Thelma & Louise", a washer and dryer by Electrolux!