Keeping Memories Close: End of an Era

This is probably a post that will be one of my least favorites to write, but my friendship with Chrissie is my longest, deepest and closest friendship that I have. And we've certainly not had a falling out or anything like that, but our relationship as we know it is definitely going to change. Chrissie moved to Colorado yesterday. It had been up in the air that she was...then she didn't know...then she wasn't...then she was....for many months now. So my initial grieving for myself took place a while ago. My first thought was almost like a gasping, "What will I do? I'd send Travis before her." But as the months have passed, and it's definitely a reality, I've found God has showered me with grace in unexpected friendships, renewed friendships, and overall peace about it for myself. Chrissie's move certainly doesn't affect me like it does her...but this is MY blog, and I felt it was worth noting.

I met Chrissie when I didn't have a friend in the world here in Alabama. She was a thin, friendly, bubbly personality that swept me up from a very lonely place. I still remember our first meeting, and I never would have imagined we'd have shared some of the most intimate moments that we have. We've shared some of the greatest laughs, the deepest fears, our biggest regrets, our biggest mistakes, frustrations, joys. We've literally shared our lives and hearts with each other (now I'm getting emotional) over the past 9 years. To find a friend like that, even if they move away, is a wonderful thing and something to hold close. I've told her things I've not and will never share with anyone else. She was in the room with me during the births of both of my sons. I don't think you could get any closer than that. She was there like a solid rock when Sage got sick, and I was at the lowest point in my life. We've watched our children grow up together. I know that I could ask her anything about anything and get her honest opinion. I could go on and on here, but I probably wouldn't ever really get it right or say what I want to say. She came here last week to see us before they left. She doesn't like it when I talk like our friendship is over, and it isn't. But I know what moving does. Because I've moved. And while I know we will never write each other off, I also know that it will be different. I hope she and her family find happiness and new adventures out there. And I also hope that we reconnect when she is in town visiting. But I hope she will also hold our relationship close and revisit some of our finest moments with a smile and know that she has someone who really, truly loves her. I know I will.

To think we just started off with Harrison, and I was pregnant with Sage when we met...and now look at the brood!