So right after Max got back from his High Adventure camping trip we threw a Farewell party for our best friends that decided it would be a good idea to move across the country without us. (I, of course am talking about Richard and Marissa.) We arranged a little potluck with some friends. It was pretty low-key, but we jazzed up our deck with some mood lights and ate some good veggie pizza, meatballs, salad, and a bunch of desserts and juice and sparkling cider, The kids ran wild, played in the bamboo forest, the tent, the sandbox, and the grass, and the grown ups could talk. It was perfect and a fun way to add in another get together before they left.
At some point in the middle of the party, Miles took off his pants and underwear and went and peed on a tree in front of everybody...drunk little child!
The following week was a busy time for Richhard and Marissa as they sold a house, bought a house, packed up a house, cleaned a house, and prepared for a long drive and vacation on their journey to Tennessee. So, I just made myself available to babysit since I wanted my kids to get in all the playdates they possibly could before their best friends left. So that is just what we did.
They all just get along and play so well, we had a blast!
Then, after their final full day in Oregon. the moving truck was pack and we ran off with a bunch of extra stuff that didn't fit...(Score) Richard and Marissa invited us out to breakfast at the Original Pancake House. It is walking distance from our house so we got together on a thursday morning and walked to an early brunch. We had a little wait but not bad at all.
We went there a long time ago with them when Marissa was still pregnant with Lacey, before they had officially moved back to Oregon. We had a great walk home and said our Final goodbyes as we watched them drive off.
Anyway, I'm not one to get super sentimental, and I don't think I could even put into words the significance off our friendship. The day Max and Richard met as 14 year olds starting their Freshmen year of high school, they became incredible friends. I know when Max saw Richards family he had a glimpse of how he wanted to raise his family. He was always treated so well by Richard's parents And he even loved the chores and responsibilities he was given when staying at his house. Over the years they have gone to each other in happy and hard times looking for advice and support. I undoubtedly know that Richard's example has helped shape the person who Max is today and vice versa. I have known Marissa since probably around the time she started elementary school. I was friends with her older sister so I knew of her but we didn't become super close until I came home from my mission, she was married to Richard and we spent our summers together supporting our husbands selling pest control. (while we got to go to the pool and gym nearly every day!) and then in the following years of college, children, and preschool. She is someone that is easy to talk to in happy times and times of frustration. I am so thankful for her friendship and a time that they lived close. Luckily our friendship has withstood being in different states and countries, so I'm not too worried. We will miss them so much and how often our kids could play together and how much they love each other. I know my boys ask about them very frequently and Miles still expects to see Lacey and William. Family trip to Nashville Summer 2017 right? We love you Pattersons. You are already so missed. 
This would kill me off. That would be so hard to have a good family friend group to do everything with like this. We don't really have that here but I imagine I would be incredibly sad to have this and then have to say good bye. Don't forget your next trip to Utah too though! ;) haha
ReplyDelete