Monday, September 17, 2018

a weekend full of love

This past Friday night, I had the honor of being part of the women's circle at My First Best Friend's beautiful home. We met when we were three years old and lived across the street from each other. We drifted apart during our late teens - mid 30's because our lives took such different turns - but now that we're reconnected, it seems like we were never apart. Funny how life does that.


The women in this group are some of the most kind, loving, compassionate, beautiful, supportive, intelligent, and amazing human beings that I have ever known. As they say, these women are "my tribe". Our dinners are healthy and mostly vegan, centering around bowls of homemade soup, salads, veggies, fresh fruit, dark chocolate for dessert, and wine. We sit around the table for almost two hours, eating, talking, and laughing - though most times, there's some tears, too.


And then Saturday was mine and Brian's 34th wedding anniversary! We chose to spend the day in a quiet, simple way ~ in our favorite town, walking around to visit our usual choice places...the bakery where they make from-scratch breads and pastries (we love their scones!); a vintage shop; the farmer's market; and an independent bookstore. This sign was outside a florist and plant shop. 


For true relaxation, we then headed to our Happy Place on the lakefront (Lake Michigan) where we spread a blanket underneath a huge oak tree and laid in the dappled sunshine for almost two hours, kind of napping on and off. It's hard to believe while our area is having such beautiful weather (mid-80's, low humidity, brilliant sunshine), that the east coast is being hit with a hurricane.

 It felt so good with the filtered sun, the cool lake breeze, and the sound of the waves hitting the rocks in the background, that we didn't want to leave. But we finally got hungry and had over an hour's drive home. We stopped at the little pizza place that we used to frequent when we were dating. Brian told me he used to go to this place when he was a kid - it's been in business 50 years! 


Me and my honey...I hope we are blessed with another 34 years together. 💓


~ There is only one happiness in this life; to love and be loved. ~
(George Sand)

16 comments:

  1. What a great photo of you two! That's wonderful that you still know friends from so long ago too.
    Brenda

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  2. Beautiful picture of you and Brian. What a great way to send your anniversary. You are like Terry and I we like those small get aways in the sweet towns we love with local shops and great food places. Glad you have a wonderful day together. Your girlfriend group sounds like mine too. What would we do without our tribes.
    They really complete us don't they. Have a great new week.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  3. I hope you have another 34 years together too! Congratulations!

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  4. Lovely post, Melanie! Happy Anniversary to you and Brian! It is so great you have a wonderful tribe of friends, too!

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  5. Beautiful post and wonderful people!
    Congrats on your 34th anniversary - you both look so young!

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  6. Aww, I love this post!
    Your friend's home is absolutely lovely and serene.
    And I love how you spent your anniversary.

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  7. Happy Anniversary to you and Brian. Your celebration sounds so nice and relaxing too.
    How nice to have a group of girlfriends with so much in common. I think that is something that is lacking in my life right now. Hoping to change that once we move.

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  8. Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

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  9. What a wonderful weekend!! Hard to believe you are married 34 years....you look way too young for that!!

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  10. Happy 34th Wedding Anniversary. The two of you are so cute together.
    Your group of women friends sound wonderful, how sweet to be a part of such a great group of women :)

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  11. You are indeed blessed to have found such a great partner in life. Your smiles say it all. Hugs!!

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  12. How fun to have reconnected with your friends. I remained close with a small group of friends and we have gotten together for years either individually or on getaways as a group. At our 50th high school reunion the group expanded and we have a getaway next month.

    The way you celebrated your anniversary sounds perfect!

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  13. What a happy post! You are blessed to have your group of lady friends.

    What a wonderful, peace filled anniversary you had, may you have many more. I saved the picture of you and Brian. Love it.

    Have a great day ~ FlowerLady

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  14. A happy late anniversary to you, Melanie! Your and Brian's celebration of the special day looks absolutely perfect to me. And the blackboard sign outside the bookstore could not be better for including in this post about having a wonderful time with your circle of women friends. What a rare thing to be able to still be friends from so long ago as children. What an intriguing tabletop in your friend's room, and what a beautiful photo of you and Brian at the close of the post, you look very relaxed and happy! Many wishes for many more anniversaries to come!

    Dewena

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