I may need to give you a little background in case you're not familiar with April. She and her hubby Dave moved to St. Cloud in 2002 and Dave took the youth pastor position at our church. April started an aerobics/strength training class at church (she LOVES to work out more than anybody I've ever known) and my friend Eir (another dear friend) invited me to go to the class. I met April at that first class and the rest is history. =)
I'm a slow "warmer upper" and am not an extrovert. I sort of have to "feel people out" and observe for awhile before getting buddy-buddy. =) April on the other hand is the epitome of extrovert and has never met a stranger. And she's so likable!
She won me over and our friendship grew over the next five years. We were pregnant with our first babies at the same time - Emma was born in February and Lily was born four months later in June. It was so fun to have our babies at the same time and to go through our intiation into motherhood together.
We did countless playdates with our girls and traded baby-sitting for various appointments, running errands, dates or whatever. I never felt like she was keeping track or like I owed her anything. She was always so willing to keep Lily for me and it meant the world to me. I absolutely trusted her with my precious firstborn and Lily was comfortable with her too. It was ideal.
And then one dreaded Sunday evening Dave and April invited us over for dessert. I had a feeling. And sure enough, they announced that Dave had taken another youth pastor position at April's dad's church in Wisconsin. I was never less happy to be right. And I was crushed.
I got very little sleep that night and I cried about as much as I've ever cried in my life. The next morning VBS started at our church and their news wasn't public information yet so I had to keep it a secret!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I was a wreck. I pretty much avoided talking to people because I was afraid that I'd burst into tears or that they'd see on my face that I'd been up half the night bawling. And when I'd see April in the hall or something I just had to say hey and act normal. Whatever! It was one of the most uncomfortable and stressful days of my life.
Part of the sadness for me was that I hadn't realized how dear of a friend she had become. Our friendship had grown so deep over those five years.
The other part that grieved me was that Lily was going to lose her best buddy Emma. Emma was her favorite little friend by a mile and it made me so sad that they weren't going to get to play on a regular basis and be a part of each other's every day lives. The girls were only 2 when they moved, but believe me when I say that Lily understood that Emma was leaving and she was so sad. I remember a conversation when I was trying to explain to Lily what was happening, and her little lower lip stuck out and began to quiver. It broke my heart then and it still makes me teary now.
Long story never-ending, we have definitely missed Dave and April and their girls (Hailey was born about 8 months after they moved) and it has been a long grieving process and a difficult adjustment for me. I thank the Lord for the internet! We've kept in touch pretty consistently through email and facebook and I'm so grateful for that.
So! It was such a treat to be able to spend some time with them in their new home! It felt like old times and we just picked up where we left off. I miss having April as a regular part of my life and I think I always will. What a blessing to know her, though, and to have had the privilege of having her as one of my closest friends. She is an amazing woman, mother and wife and even though I know God has wired us differently I aspire to be like her!
Anyway, Dave happened to be away on a youth retreat, so the timing of our visit worked out perfectly. We had Papa Murphy's and watermelon for supper, played, talked, stayed up late (the girls slept in a tent together and were up past 11 o'clock!!!), had egg-free pancakes for breakfast (both Hailey and Taylor are allergic), played some more and then said our see-you-laters.
It was absolutely delightful.
The girls had so much fun together. Here they are wearing princess shoes and being fancy. =)
On the trampoline. Cute as can be.
The morning after our sleepover. Neither of us had showered yet and she wasn't excited to be in a picture, but I had to have at least one of our time together!!! =) Hard to see in the picture, but she's expecting Baby #3! Due in November.
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