Friendships that Grow

 When I left Montana nearly 16 years ago, I left all my friends and all of my family.

It affected me deeply but

I stayed very distracted from that as I worked full time with John at the mattress store.

 However, after Kayli was born, I became a stay-at-home mom.

I also became painfully aware that I had only 2 friends (both who worked full time).

Motherhood felt very isolating, even as much as I loved being with Kayli.

13 years ago this May, I met one of my first Arizona friends at infant swim lessons.

Kayli was 5 months old at the time.

Tayva had a nearly one year old daughter, Maddy. 

I instantly connected with Tayva and loved her little family.

Our friendship grew as our families did.

They never missed a birthday/celebration.

 

Our families grew.

And grewwwww some more.

 

Through several moves, one quite a distance away, we still made sure that we kept up with our traditions together. 

So so so many countless memories (and photos!) involve this little family.

 

  

Here we are, 13 years later, and we have 9 children between us.

Both of our families are complete.

And, as fate would have it,

we have settled into our permanent homes that are only a few miles apart.

 

These girls will all go to high school together.

How amazing is that.

They are staggered in grades, but remain good friends.

Friends that can count on each other.

Friends that have a solid foundation of trust.

 

As things also turn out,

Tayva and I will send our last "babies" (her twin boys and my Brayden)

to kindergarten this fall.

We are going to have breakfast together after their sendoff and cry (then maybe celebrate? ha!)

 

At our family BBQ this week, we celebrated our kick off to summer break-

we marveled at how we started this motherhood gig together,

met so many milestones side by side.

And now will see our little kindergarten boys off- 

beginning a new chapter we've never experienced. 

 

I am so grateful for genuine, lasting friendships.

Knowing someone is there to catch you if you fall.

Loving your kids and there to support in times of need.

We've fostered that -tried hard to protect that from the crazy schedules of life.

Families that become like family.

For this we are grateful.