a weekend in Cincinnati with friends

Our best pals, Mel and Nick flew in from New Jersey this weekend for a visit. From this point on, we will see them every month through the end of December with the upcoming baby shower, Thanksgiving and Christmas Break. It's sad when you live so far from two of your very good friends when your pregnant-but in this case, we will see so much of them throughout this exciting time in our life.

They have been part of Ted and I's family for almost 10 years and they knew my parents very well. Many weekends spent at my parents lake place, they attended both of their 50th birthday parties, my parents attended their wedding, came to Chicago and Cincinnati during the same weekends and they have spent numerous Thanksgivings with both mine and Ted's family together and then almost every Christmas Eve at the Close's.

And Mel was the first person I called as I was driving back with Ted to MI after I got the news of the tragedy from my Sister. I could barely breathe and couldn't talk long and ended up handing the phone to Ted. I also called her back when I found out my Mom did not make it. And that next morning after driving through the night from New Jersey, she was by my side in Michigan.

Given that we had so many memories and fun times spent with my parents, one day I hope she will also be able to focus on all of the amazing memories and fun we have had and put that phone call and everything else behind her. But I also appreciate that she knows I am struggling at times and will accept my good and bad days and for me, I have not forgotten the phone call or any of the details. It's still fresh in my mind like it happened yesterday.....support and sensitivity is so appreciated.

We look forward to sharing so many memories with them as we bring our little girl into the world. I see many family trips to Disney world in our future and renting a big house somewhere on the beach with our little ones running around and us still being able to enjoy a nice bottle of wine after we put them to sleep. When your family all of sudden shrinks and you crave these memories to be shared with them, it's a great feeling to know you have friends that are as close as family and will be on this journey of life with you.

Thank you Mom and Dad for showing me how you cherished your friendships by making time for them and making memories. I am so happy I was passed on that that gift and know, because of you, I will have a lifetime filled with rich friendships that not even distance can break apart.