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)