Memphis
Tennessee!!!! It’s so good to see you!
Like I said in the last post, we started the trip with friends and so it was only fitting that we ended the trip with friends.
In St. Louis, we stayed with one of Justin’s fraternity brothers from Lambuth and now we were on our way to hang out with 2 more and their wives (who also went to school with Justin).
When Justin went to college, he was newly sober and wanted to join a fraternity. Everyone told him he was crazy, because he is, right? I mean, isn’t drinking kinda the whole part of a fraternity?
Not for Justin. Somehow, he hit the jackpot and landed in a fraternity that watched out for him, protected his sobriety, and made lifelong friends.
We couldn’t wait to see them!
After yesterday’s drive, this one seemed like a breeze. Pulling into the driveway felt like home. The couple letting us camp in their driveway are so welcoming and our kids love going to their house, mainly because they are one of the few houses left with a diving board.
My kiddos immediately put their swimsuits on and made themselves at home.
We sat around the pool and watched as our kids picked up where they left of many months ago. Us adults did the same thing. It’s so great to have friends that go way back. There is an ease and familiarity that can’t be faked.
Edley in her happy place
And there is nothing like hearing your kids belly laugh while playing with other kids. That pure innocence and joy as they pull each other on floats and call out dives on the diving board.
Pizza, watermelon, and popsicles all around! The perfect ending to a wonderful evening.
Whether it is old friends like these, the new friends we met at the dunes, or friends back home who are newer friends becoming older friends, Justin and I have always been blessed by deep friendships with people we truly like. There is no drama. There is no doubt of their intentions. There is mutual respect and a pulling-for each other. We celebrate the new jobs and the emails to come. We celebrate the stepping away from old jobs and the new adventures that await. We celebrate the births of kiddos and are saddened by the failing health of friends’ parents.
These are the people we choose to do life with and this stop reminds me of how fortunate we are for each and every one of our friends in our lives.
