Seasons and Friendships

Life is full of seasons. If you are close to me at all, you know that I am a firm believer in them. Maybe it is just giving myself grace to move to a new chapter and not feel guilty, maybe it is truth - either way, I have committed to this philosophy.

7 1/2 years ago, my friends and I experienced a particular season in our lives that I know will forever be etched in our minds. We were all friends before the point, but it was like a divine collision of events that created an amazing summer and an impenetrable bond. We were six girls living in two houses, known as the Diamond House and the Cameron House. And if we weren't all hanging out at one house, then we were at the other. Every weekend, we would have a cookout at one of the houses, and on the other night, we would be at our favorite watering hole, Thomas Street Tavern. It was very rare that you saw any of us at an event without the others. We were for sure, a force to be reckoned with. And most importantly, we had an amazing summer together full of trips, silliness, pool time, party time, bar time, inside jokes and laughter.

There is something psychological about the fall. Have you ever noticed it? It's like we take time off from life in the summer and indulge in fun and then come September when the kids are heading back to school, it is like we mentally turn back on the responsibility switch and get back to business. I nor the other girls have ever been able to determine the exact moment that this happened, but I know it definitely happened in the fall. And with the change of leaves came the changing of our lives. People began being busier and time began to lapse between seeing each other. Relationships happened. The Relationship, where you know you are going to spend the rest of your life with the other person kind. And there became a balancing act between time with the girls and the future hubby. People moved. None of this is bad stuff, in fact quite the opposite, it was all good. But in a sweeping moment, the bubble of the magic moment was popped and life began again. And we mourned the time that was...a season had ended.

Today was magical though. Today we suspended time, commitments and the world and all six of us gathered. The great thing about really good friends, is that no matter how much time passes, or how much life lived, you are able to dive in like no time has passed at all. The conversation looked a bit different then it did 7 1/2 years ago. We are older. We are further in our careers. Some are considering going back to school. There are husbands, children, mortgages and lots of seasons in between. But one thing that has not changed is how much we truly love each other. It's been 3 years since we were all in one room together. I hope that it is not that long again.