G'day Mates......
You know someone is special when you haven't seen each other for 22 years, you don't talk much on the phone, but, when you finally see each other, it's like you didn't miss a beat. You talk like there was never a gap in between and you laugh until your stomach's hurt. It's a rare and special connection and I think it is magical. When you find someone like this in your life, never let them go. To begin, Heather and Prue met each other in 4th grade. Prue's Dad worked for the Australian embassy and was stationed in the States for two years. Prue was the hit of the elementary school. Not only was she intelligent, friendly and adorable, she had this amazing accent! Perhaps we are the ones with the accent - ha. Prue and Heather became best friends and for three years they created some wonderful memories.
They now lived on different sides of the earth. It was impossible to know if, and when, they would ever see each other. Initially they exchanged letters, then for a short bit they lost touch. Eventually they were able to keep in touch over the internet.
I would tell people about this upcoming visit and they were curious as to how they would get along after 22 years. I can honestly say that I wasn't concerned. I just had a hunch.
December 22nd finally arrived and it was perfect. Heather picked them up and by the time they came back to the house it was as if they had never been apart. It was an action packed whirlwind trip spent visiting with friends from elementary school, Christmas dinners at my Dad's and with Kevin's family, and they rung in the New Year at the beach house. At both houses there were LOTS of late night parties.
They were able to visit the DC monuments and memorials and recreate their Einstein photo. They even went back to their elementary school and one of the administrators gave them a tour.
I bought the girls matching PJs and the boys got matching PJ bottoms. Santa was sweet - he gave the boys remote control cars. Everyone needs a toy from Santa. Christmas morning was fun - everyone was in their matching PJs (sorry folks, we didn't think about taking that awkward fun photo) and the boys were racing their cars around the living room. Pearl was terrified of the cars and thrilled at the same time. She never figured them out. She ran away then she would attack them.
If I had to sum up the trip with a few words it would be: laughter, love, roaring fires, Titos, Tito's revenge, dancing, BB guns (thanks Walmart) and small metal cans (who knew I had such an excellent aim - sometimes), photos, reminiscing, bacon, more bacon, Tim Tam cookies from Australia, Alaskan crab legs, prime rib roast, lasagna.
la la la food glorious food - what is there more handsome? Gulped, swallowed or chewed, still worth a KINGS RANSOM! Oops, sometimes my life is a musical theatre show.
Dad came over for several visits. Prue spent many childhood days with my parents and was looking forward to seeing my Mom. On his last night visiting with Prue, he gave Prue one of Mom's necklaces. Let's just say that there wasn't a dry eye in the room for this touching loving gift for Prue to remember her American Grandmother.
Prue and Ashely were the perfect guests. Heck they aren't guests - now they are family. They helped us navigate our first Christmas without my Mom and they filled the house with laughter and love. The tears started flowing on our last night together. Yes, another late night. Nobody wanted the night to end. I once read that as we grow up it becomes less important to have tons of friends (Facebook), and more important to have real ones. Prue is a true friend. Both girls have been dealing with some very scary health issues and Prue decided that she needed to come see Heather now.
It couldn't have been better timing for both girls. Heather got to meet her fiancé Ashley, and Prue met Kevin. They discussed their health issues and shared stories. In my mind they are both too young to be dealing with shitty health stuff, but they are resilient, strong, and survivors with an incredible and positive outlook on life.
I wasn't at the airport for their goodbye, but it was a tear jerker for sure.
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
Prue and Heather's farewell was tearful to say the least. However, I am confident that they will see each other sooner rather than later. They decided to save $50 a week towards their next trip.
Thank you Prue and Ashley, from the bottom of our hearts. It helped to have so much laughter in the house and I can't until our next visit.
xo
Lisa
A few pictures for your enjoyment
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| Such good sports |
