A Commemorative Writing For Stacie

What do you do when your best friend is moving? Do you write a heart felt card, give a gift, send her on her way with a pat on the back and a "see you later?" If you're me, you write a blog post about her and plaster it online for the whole world to see! :) I know she'll love this! (HA!)

It's no secret that I love people. Some call this being an extrovert, I just call it, being me. Sometimes I can be a little forceful, in your face if you will, too talkative, annoying... I"ve heard it all. But ya'll when I love, I love hard! 

I remember meeting Stacie at a MOPS meeting where we were both feeling a bit awkward. She, completely introverted, was sitting by herself, and me... being me, decided to start a conversation with her. During this awkward conversation we had about, who knows what, I decided Stacie was going to be my friend, probably whether she liked it or not. I remember going home that night and telling Nick that I think I"m going to ask this person I had just met if she wouldn't mind watching my 1 year old baby while I went to doctors appointments, pregnant with my other baby! He asked if I trusted her, and I replied... "Well I just met her, but ya I think I do?"

Story has it she accepted the task of watching my little babe while I went to the doctor, and well... that's the day we found out BIG J was allergic to her pups! Despite having to call me in a very non alarming way ask to bring benadryl with me, and quickly, to come get my daughter, we still remained friends. 

It's pretty hard to believe that's it's been 9 years since our first interaction. She has seen me through ALL of my years of learning to become a mother. We have shared laughs, tears, heartache and so so so much joy spending time with each other through 4 new pregnancies. We started as two moms and two kids, and quickly got outnumbered to two moms and 6 kids. 

Stacie and I have remained friends through a move before. A 2 year long distance relationship, but this time is much more permanent and I'm struggling to wrap my head around it. I realize for the next few years I will be on a different continent that her, but I"m already grieving the fact that when I return to the states... she won't be here, less than a mile away. I can't stop by after dropping my kids off at school in my jammies and make myself a cup of coffee while we talk about life. I can't call her up and ask her to borrow her carpet cleaner because my kid just puked red koolaid all over our cream carpet. And most importantly (HA!) I won't be able to ride my bike to her house at night so I can drink adult beverages and not drive a motorized vehicle home! These have all been real occurrences, as have me stopping at her house to nurse my crying baby because at the time I lived 15 mins further. Using her house as a bathroom stop while running errands. Cuddling with her "therapy" dogs when I don't think I couldn't possibly continue with life. She has listened to me rant, listened to me yell, scream, laugh, cry, share more secrets than most would feel comfortable sharing. Stacie, you are the true definition of a best friend. 

I realize she's not dying, and I realize that FaceTime is a marvelous thing but that comfort of knowing I won't run into her at Target, or the school, watching her kids grow, being able to enter her house at any given time of the day... it's gone. 

Through all this sadness and grief that life is indeed changing I'm still so very thankful for her in my life. I know we will continue to Facetime each other when we are stuck in a household task, or want to complain about our very wonderful husbands... which we never do... I was just saying IF we ever come to that point :) I know we will visit here and there, and I know we will continue to know what exactly each other is going through in life. I'm so very grateful for that day in MOPS where I met a new stranger who ended up to be one of my most very important people in my lifetime! 

Cheers Stacie! You know I wish you nothing but the absolute best in all you do! You are a wonderful mother, wife and friend. I love you and your entire crazy family so dearly, that won't ever change! I know we will both meet new friends, but I'm not quite sure anyone will be insane enough to allow me into their house as much time as I've spent in yours! Or vice versa... but we can still try right? My heart is happy you are moving closer to your family, and I refuse to be sad after today because we are both alive and well, and our friendship moves on... with just a bit of change. 

Much love, peace and joy to you on this new adventure! 

Also... you're so very welcome for having me plaster this on the internet! HAHAHA!