Friends

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Oh, how I love these ladies!

Life has a funny way of placing people exactly where they’re meant to be, crossing paths at just the right moment. I’m not entirely sure how I got so lucky, but time and again, life continues to bless me with the most incredible friendships.

We’re not all the same age, in fact, I’m proudly the oldest of the bunch! We come from different backgrounds, neighborhoods, and walks of life, yet somehow our personalities clicked almost instantly. From the moment we met, it felt effortless, as though we’d known each other for years. Those are the friendships you treasure, the unexpected ones that quickly become part of your heart.

And where did it all begin? You guessed it… mahjong!

What started as a shared interest around a game table quickly grew into something much bigger. We’ve created our own little tribe, a friendship built on laughter, support, learning, and adventure. We celebrate each other's wins, encourage one another through challenges, and spend more time talking about what fun lies ahead than dwelling on the responsibilities waiting for us at home.

Of course, we all have busy lives, families, children, husbands, careers, and in my case, grandchildren, but when we get together, the focus shifts. For a few precious hours, it's simply about us. We play, we laugh, we dream up new adventures, and we decide what we want to learn next. It's a gift to have friendships that allow you to be fully present in the moment.

After spending a long day outdoors organizing and facilitating a large event, I never once questioned whether these ladies would show up to support me. I simply knew they would be there, cheering me on and lending a hand if needed. That's the kind of friendship that can't be measured.

And although Judy somehow missed making it into this photo, she certainly deserves a special shout-out. Maybe my support crew just wouldn't fit into the frame! JM has been every bit as much a part of this wonderful circle, and I have no doubt she'll be front and center for many future adventures.

As a lifelong townie, most of my friendships have always been local and rooted close to home. But now, thanks to spending my weekdays a few towns away, my world has expanded in the best possible way. I've met people I may never have crossed paths with otherwise, and my life is richer because of it.

I’m endlessly grateful that our paths collided. Friendships like these don't come along every day, and I never take them for granted. Here's to many more mahjong games, spontaneous adventures, endless laughter, and the beautiful memories we are only beginning to create together....adventures await! 

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” ~ C.S. Lewis