NY Girls Reunion… and my tummy.

When D was a law student ten years ago, we lived in New York and were away from all family.  So we created our own.  Lovely couples who were in a similar situation… going to school, working, beginning families… and who shared our lifestyle of tiny, overpriced student housing and loved to explore the city.  We met often to discuss great books, to eat great food and to commiserate when it had been more than 24 hours since we had seen our spouses. 

Five of these lovely ladies were able to abandon their husbands and children for a quick weekend and descend on the Homestead for a reunion retreat.  Major props to the dads who took over households and to D who vacated this one and fled west with the children.  We spent a few days reconnecting and it was completely uplifting. 

We stayed up way too late, ate amazing food prepared by Ann (my kitchen did not know what hit it when Ann took over in here), enjoyed pedicures, shopping, laughing, crying and talking about things other than our children.  Much needed and much appreciated.  Each of these women have been through various junk that life throws in the last few years and it was inspiring to hear how they have weathered their storms, how they are fighting their battles and continue building happy families in the midst of trials that we never would have guessed we would have encountered ten years ago.

From the time we left New York, we have grown by 10, almost 11 children and lost one.  We have seen multiple moves and job changes and all feel gratitude for where life currently finds us and for the potential of great things to come.  It is reassuring to know that even after so much time passes that there is a group scattered about this country that has my back and loves without judgment.  It was surprising and wonderful to find that all of my relationships with these friends are stronger now than they were years ago.  We are all different people than we were then and yet we click better now than when we were still figuring out who we were and where we were all headed.  I love them to pieces and miss them terribly.  I am grateful for this here internet that keeps us connected. 

lovely pampered toes

divine chocolate quinoa cake with raspberry sauce and chocolate fondant.  yes, quinoa.  yes, divine.

top: Nancy, Ann, Shelly.  bottom: yours truly, Maren and Kristina.

and for those of you who keep requesting belly pics… here is the little lady and me.  the countdown is on… I vote 4 more weeks!