When we became homeowners for the first time in 2003, we had no idea we were just two houses up from the best friends we would have here in NC – Christine & Justin Lukasavige. We went to an ice cream social in the neighborhood one Sunday afternoon in September and I was excited to see a couple like us that were young and childless among the mix of neighbors. While we didn’t talk to them, from my backyard later that evening, I saw them sitting on their room watching the sunset and I told Michael, “They’re cool – maybe they can be our friends!”
At that time in our lives, the pets were our children, and we got them together for play dates. Gina and Jordan share an insane addiction to laser pointers. Since Justin was a pilot then, the dogs stayed also with us when they went out of town. Jordan doesn’t get to see Gina and Lola much anymore, but she gets so excited whenever we mention them or see their parents.
We all went camping together (the dogs too) to Topsail Island Mother’s Day weekend of 2004 – and celebrated Christine’s pregnancy. A couple months later, we had our own baby on the way and Christine and I got closer as we shared experiences like the feeling of a baby moving inside of us and all the emotions that went along with it. Christine even got the neighbors together to throw me a wonderful baby shower and made an awesome cake.
We visited each other in the hospital after becoming parents for the first time. Breast milk and poop became a regular part of our conversation. During many walks around the neighborhood with Lex and Ava in strollers, we strategized about getting the kids to sleep through the night and nap on a schedule. We sympathized with each other when our well-meaning husbands just didn’t understand, complaining that one was never home while the other never left.
We have celebrated all of the kids milestones together from first words to first steps. Our kids have always trick-or-treated together. Since we both moved away from our families, we have celebrated Thanksgiving together since the beginning too. When we moved 15 minutes away, I lost touch with many of my friends, but Christine never thought twice about the extra drive, or letting us use the community pool whenever we wanted. When the kids were ready for preschool, I was so happy Christine found a great school that we could handle commuting to two mornings a week – and now that the older kids are in kindergarten, I love seeing Taye & Amanda follow in their siblings’ path.
The best part is that our kids get along so well! I have several friends I could see becoming closer too, but when our kids get together, it’s just not worth the required discipline. Christine can come over for the day and we can chat fairly effortlessly while the kids entertain each other. We give each other advice on everything from the kids and our husbands to fashion and decorating advice. It’s funny, really, because we are polar opposites: while I’m an eco-conscious cheap hoarder, overanalyzing atheist, and hyper-organized planner; she is an out-of-sight-out-of-mind carefree shopper, non-questioning faithful Christian, and spontaneous fun-lover. Opposites attract, though, and unlike a spouse, we are apart from each other enough to never be annoyed by each other’s quirks. We even chose beads to represent our diversity and Christine turned them into beautiful earrings for us to wear and remember each other.
Lex asked the other day why Daddy’s sign was in their yard, and I explained that Christine, Justine, Ava, Amanda, and Brie were moving to Colorado. He cried and I tried to explain we could call and write as often as we wanted, but we needed to be happy for them because they were starting a new adventure. He thought about it and asked when they were leaving; he then counted up the days and said we need to see them as much as possible before they go:).
1 comment:
I don't even know what to say. I miss you already. This is going to be HARD.
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