Sunday, October 24, 2010

Friendship is golden

A month ago, we celebrated our silver anniversary with a golden weekend.

Golden because we drove to central Minnesota, where the trees were at peak fall color.

Golden also because we visited with old friends Carol and Michael, whom we hadn't seen for at least a couple of years (none of us could quite remember how long).

It was SO GOOD to see and spend time with them again.

For 13 years before I met Peter, Carol and Michael were like family to me. We met when I went to work in the office where she worked, and our friendship soon extended beyond working hours. We went to art fairs or hung out at their house talking about our lives, our families, our hopes and disappointments. Over time they added two adorable children to the mix, and I was included in quite a few family celebrations. I met their extended families, and they met mine. To this day, when Carol and Michael talk about their parents or siblings or nieces and nephews, I can picture them...just as they looked 30 years ago. Carol and I had season tickets for the ballet for about 30 years; often having dinner first so we could talk. Even when we no longer worked together (I left that office after 10  years), we could pick up on our conversations with the comfort than comes from a well-worn friendship.

They retired a few years ago and moved to their lake home, about 2.5 hours north. We could never understand how they could leave the city behind. But being there, with the golden light pouring in through the windows and with all the comfort and serenity they have built into their place, I began to understand the draw. I wouldn't want to commute as much as they do, but I get why they love it there. And while we were there we loved it, too.

It was in their living room that we were married 25 years earlier, so it was great fun to celebrate our anniversary with them. And we discovered that the resort where we stayed last summer...and where we plan to stay again next summer...is maybe an hour's drive from their place. The welcome mat will be out! Having finally gotten ourselves together again, we promised that we will not let years go by without seeing one another. Our friendship is too valuable....it's golden.

(I didn't take pictures, so these photos are not mine.)

21 comments:

Darlene said...

So nice that you could reconnect with such special people. The pictures are beautiful!

Darlene said...

And, congratulations on 25 years!

#1Nana said...

Congratulations on 25 years. It is a gift when you can maintain a long friendship. Having history with friends is worth the effort to maintain.

gayle said...

So glad you had such a wonderful time!!

DJan said...

Now that is some gold and silver! As I said before, congratulations on 25 years, and I only have six more before we make it there, too! What wonderful pictures and fabulous friends... :-)

Far Side of Fifty said...

It is great to have old friends, ones that you can be so comfortable with:)

Jeanie said...

The way you write about you friendship shows just how valuable it is to you. Kudos to you for keeping it alive.
Congratulations on your anniversary, also.

Leah Rubin said...

That's just beautiful! Congratulations on the celebration, and thanks for giving us a glimpse of the lovely history!

CoTU and I are celebrating 55 years of marriage: 25 for him, 20 for me, and 10 together! Hey, what's wrong with the "Cumulative Method"????

Have a great week!

L.

Grandmother Mary said...

Congratulations on 25 years married! Congratulations on maintaining friendships even longer! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous fall photos! Good for you all round!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a milestone, CONGRATULATIONS on your twenty-fifth anniversary. Woohoo!!!

What a wonderful story you have to share. Thank you so much for sharin' it with us.

The 'golden' pictures are just amazin' sweetie!

God bless and may God grant you many, many incredible years together.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Ah... nothing finer than steady friendships! Congratulations of your twenty five years of wedded bliss!

grammy said...

Such a beautiful place
it is easy to let time go by before we get together...
It helps to be a planner...which I am not (o:

AiringMyLaundry said...

Congrats on 25 years!! That is wonderful.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Congratulations on your 25th!

Ellen said...

Wow, if those pictures look anything at all like where they live, I can understand retiring there too. Congrats on your anniversary. Very special, especially in this day and age.

Ms Sparrow said...

What a lovely, charming post!

Terra said...

A neat story of a long and comfortable friendship, and now you can see them next summer too.
I am your newest follower and my post on my blog today has an autumn scene too.

Deb Shucka said...

Congratulations on your quarter century and on reconnecting with your old friends. It sounds like that friendship is a treasure to be enjoyed as much as possible.

Gabriele Agustini said...

Congratulations from me too!
I always love visiting your blog!
And your photographs - are wonderful!!
Best,
gabriele

Yvonne said...

What a beautiful story and such a wonderful, long lasting friendship. I have been blessed with a friendship that started in grade school, and even though we have been apart most of our lives, we have managed off and on to stay in contact and squeeze in a few visits. Happy 25th!!!

Cheryl Kohan said...

How nice that you renewed that friendship. This was such a heartwarming post. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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