A Beautiful Day
This past weekend served as a huge reminder that I really am growing up. Quickly. So quickly that I sometimes don't even have the chance to pause and reflect over all that is happening within my heart and mind and in the hearts and minds of my friends and all of those I hold dear.
When I was home from school for Winter Break last December, I had the chance to spend a day with three of my best friends from middle and high school. One of them I have kept in regular contact with since high school, but the other two I hadn't seen since the day we graduated. Nonetheless, spending time together that day proved that we were the same four girls we were five years ago, only with more mature looks and new stories of college and work attached to us.
It was in the car on the way to lunch that Maria decided to drop the bomb that she was engaged. Very casually she stated that her engagement ring "was in New York getting re-sized." My friend Megan nearly had an accident after hearing the news. I knew that Maria was in a relationship, but I had no idea it was to that stage yet.
This past Saturday Megan and I drove to Houston (where the groom-to-be is from) together for the bridal shower. Normally I would not sacrifice eight hours of driving for such a brief occasion, but since it was for Maria we were excited to go and support her in this milestone. The shower was lovely. Her fiancee's family members were immediately gracious to us, and just from spending a mere two hours in their presence I am assured that they will love and support Maria in her marriage, and she will do the same for them.
The truly special moment for me occurred when Maria opened her gifts. Megan and I were seated on either side of her, recording each item and who it was from. As she was beginning to open them, piled beneath her feet, the shower guests were eager for her to introduce her friends. "This is Eva and Megan," she said, inserting our status as students at our respective colleges, "and we have been friends all through middle school and high school." Everyone beamed at us. "How wonderful for Maria to be surrounded by her best friends." It really was wonderful. Here we were, two friends seated on either side of our twenty-year-old, nursing school-bound, soon to be married friend with whom we have experienced the joys and pains of adolescence and beyond. I still can't believe it's happening--that I am actually old enough to have a friend who is beginning the rest of her life as a married woman. What a huge step. Still, I know that Maria will remain the incredible woman and incredible friend that she is. I wish her and her fiancee many years of happiness, and I am excited for what the future holds for all of us. "I can't wait until your weddings," she told Megan and I as we said our goodbyes. What a thought.
Life is full of blessings that come faster than the blink of an eye.
When I was home from school for Winter Break last December, I had the chance to spend a day with three of my best friends from middle and high school. One of them I have kept in regular contact with since high school, but the other two I hadn't seen since the day we graduated. Nonetheless, spending time together that day proved that we were the same four girls we were five years ago, only with more mature looks and new stories of college and work attached to us.
It was in the car on the way to lunch that Maria decided to drop the bomb that she was engaged. Very casually she stated that her engagement ring "was in New York getting re-sized." My friend Megan nearly had an accident after hearing the news. I knew that Maria was in a relationship, but I had no idea it was to that stage yet.
This past Saturday Megan and I drove to Houston (where the groom-to-be is from) together for the bridal shower. Normally I would not sacrifice eight hours of driving for such a brief occasion, but since it was for Maria we were excited to go and support her in this milestone. The shower was lovely. Her fiancee's family members were immediately gracious to us, and just from spending a mere two hours in their presence I am assured that they will love and support Maria in her marriage, and she will do the same for them.
The truly special moment for me occurred when Maria opened her gifts. Megan and I were seated on either side of her, recording each item and who it was from. As she was beginning to open them, piled beneath her feet, the shower guests were eager for her to introduce her friends. "This is Eva and Megan," she said, inserting our status as students at our respective colleges, "and we have been friends all through middle school and high school." Everyone beamed at us. "How wonderful for Maria to be surrounded by her best friends." It really was wonderful. Here we were, two friends seated on either side of our twenty-year-old, nursing school-bound, soon to be married friend with whom we have experienced the joys and pains of adolescence and beyond. I still can't believe it's happening--that I am actually old enough to have a friend who is beginning the rest of her life as a married woman. What a huge step. Still, I know that Maria will remain the incredible woman and incredible friend that she is. I wish her and her fiancee many years of happiness, and I am excited for what the future holds for all of us. "I can't wait until your weddings," she told Megan and I as we said our goodbyes. What a thought.
Life is full of blessings that come faster than the blink of an eye.
That is a very strange thought, to have a friend going through the motions of life.
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