Decades of Friendship

The challenge with going back to the US for a visit is that besides creating quality memories with our relatives and getting some R&R for ourselves, there are friendships that span decades that we’d like to maintain. Thankfully, people are very accommodating and we are usually able to see a lot of old friends – some of which we only have an opportunity to catch up over a meal with a group and a good-to-see-you-again hug, others we get to go deeper with over the course of a few hang-outs.  Regardless of quantity, we try to touch something deeper and leave those moments having gained some insight.

Amber has done an excellent job of keeping the girls together – so during the first week, she and I met up with our dear sisters for a couple hours of catch up over a healthy meal at Greenleaf. We cheered for Robyn who is expecting a baby this year; we listened enviously to Denise tell stories of a semester in Italy; we laughed, we asked, we shared ideas… it was a good evening andeven when some relationships feel more like acquaintanceship due to distance and time, these people are part of the fabric of my life experience and I am grateful.

Denise Giardina, Kimberly Scarborough, Anissia Todd, Amber Sides, Amy Roeschlaub, Tori Ambrose, me, 

Leilen Shelton & Robyn Kish

The next day, Anissia and I met up again – this time we each brought another HBHS alum to the table. Stef Pemper was in town for the day so Jennifer Friend told her staff she had an important lunch meeting and shot over to Stone-Fire Grill for an hour of inspiration. These ladies are all exceptional women in their chosen fields – Anissia is an award-winning sales rep; Jennifer has established an organisation to tackle homelessness in Orange County; and Stef is a highly motivational coach who expects the best from the people around her.  I love that I know such excellent people and that their excellence rubs off onto everyone around them somehow. I definitely felt sharper after that lunch, and I don't think it was just the kale salad.

 

Oh plus I was the recipient of Anissia's generosity yet again and scored some really nice pairs of shorts and winter tops... not much shopping needed to be done for this girl... Thanks heaps!

Tony arrived on a Saturday, but instead of another day at the pool, we decided to try a quieter beach for the afternoon. Leilen and her kids joined us at Morro Bay down toward Laguna where the mile walk was worthwhile! All six kids got on so well and it was fun to be able to talk with Leilen a bit more in-depth. Hunter loves playing with Myles and Helena adores Sydney... so besides just cool sand forts, I hope they are building historical friendships too! 

The cousins also had a blast together and it was such a perfect beach day - actually our first time in the sand since we'd arrived a week ago... oops!

 

 

 

Of course – to top off the day we had dinner at our family favourite – Souplantation!
 

And the tradition lives on... a night with the Todd/Belikoff families is a favourite for all of us. Tim is an amazing host and a master on the grill so we had a delicious dinner with some of our favourite people - our parents and the Belikoffs who've been role models to me since high school.

Hunter had greeted Mr Bob with as big of a smile as he could muster on day 2, but by the time we got to dinner, he was right back into the banter and fun with this wise man.

We didn't really see the kids much - but we heard them out there chasing each other with Nerf weapons... then it moved into movie time. I am so thankful that they get along so well and enjoy each visit so much (for one it means we adults can actually talk). One of these years, we'll have to go to the beach or hang out at the pool so they can really get up to some wild times together!


Besides all the female friends, Tony has Danny – and we have the Cash family – as part of our friendship mix. What a special thing it is for Tony to have a mate who he can pick up with at any-time and be challenged by, laugh with and bring life to. Danny and the kids joined us for a little beach BBQ one evening.

The next day, the two boys went out for half a day of exploring nature and who knows what other shenanigans...

 

 

 

We had booked in a family day as well, so we packed scooters, helmets, water bottles and snacks into the Cash mobile and headed over to the “Blue Park” over by the high school. The kids had a ball… but after lunch the level of childhood exuberance went to an all-time high – the sprinklers went on so the shoes and shirts came off as the four of them ran around like… well, like children! It was so fun to watch the simple joy! We had great conversations with our dear friends and we enjoyed another memory-making moment. 

That would’ve been good-bye, but we ended up dropping the kids off at Pearl’s house on a Friday night so we could go to dinner with the family. She really knows how to party… they had yummy food, crafts (thanks for the Perlers), movies, games and more of it again… By the time we picked them up at 10pm the whole house was still in party mode! What a treat…

Nikki and Tawnya were unable to make our girls' dinner so they came over one typical July morning so our kids could play while we caught up a bit.

 

Talking about Decades of Friendship - 2015 marks the ten-year anniversary of our arrival in Taipei... well, let's think about this - we arrived August 2005... so yes, five years there, five years here... it means we've known Peggy for almost 10 years already! That is wild! So yes, Peggy is serving in Northern California but being the adventurer she is, she took a bus down to Southern Cal for a bit of a catch up. She and Melody came for dinner on Tuesday night and we all had some good laughs together around the table with mom and dad too. Then because we wanted to get Peggy back to LA, we turned it into a day-trip to the Los Angeles Science Discovery Center. It was a great place!

We especially made sure we saw the Endeavour, since we were in OC when it flew over on its way to the museum back in 2012.

Thanks, Peggy, for taking the time to come see us! We enjoyed the day of reconnection.

Amber and Mary Aversa still try to meet up monthly to chat and lucky me got to join them (at 7am?!?). Seriously - between Mary and June they make turning 70 look so easy. I'm so grateful for these women who have a few more decades on me so I can watch and learn.

This is a rich part of our home-goings... decades of relationships... now I just wish more of these friends would come visit us here in NZ!