Friends

Its hard sometimes, as parents, to not be family centered all the time.  Especially when your children are young.  Everything revolves around naps, runny noses, swim class, Tball, soccer, school, and family get togethers.  I have found that it has become more difficult for me to cultivate and maintain friendships.  Since my friends are all moms I know they don't blame me, and probably struggle as well, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel like MY life as a woman suffers somewhat because of it.

I have a friend who I have known for years...we played softball together as teenagers, went to junior college together, and even went on to EKU together, and were in the same sorority.  Our lives have continued to be woven together in some form or another through the years.  We were pregnant with our first at the same time, and gave birth only about 6 weeks apart.  She makes me laugh till I cry, and I just love her!

The very best part is that we are now great "couple" friends.  Nobody tells you that when you get married you will always be on the lookout for these kinds of friends.  You know the ones...where you and your spouse really enjoy and like BOTH people in the other duo.  It can sometimes be hard to find couples that each click with both you and your spouse.  But my friend and her hubby those kinds of friends.

We live in the same state (though about and hour apart now) and are always planning times to get together, but it rarely works out (read: runny noses, swim, family get togethers, etc) and so we only end up seeing each other probably 2-3 times a year.  Tonight is one of those nights.  We are meeting for dinner and bowling, and we are both more excited than such a night should warrant...probably because we never see each other, and don't get out without the kids much.  In fact, we realized that this will be the first time since we were pregnant that we got together "adults only"! I find this sort of tragic.

 While our kids are awesome, it is a struggle to have a full conversation when mommy duties are constantly calling.  So I vow to my friends to not talk (too much) about Logan tonight, to enjoy their company, and to be more vigilant in my friend duties, not only with her, but with all my wonderful friends, making more time for "adult only" outings.  We deserve them....I deserve them.  I need to remember that.