We decided on a meeting place that was convenient for the three of us, Lake Oconee GA, and booked a house on the lake complete with a hot tub! Mary traveled from her home in Jacksonville, FL and Rachael and I traveled from our homes in Athens, TN. We had three days to lounge on the patio, soak in the hot tub, sleep late, eat (way too much) and do what we do best, play Rummy. Being with them again brought back a flood of memories beginning with how we met and all the things we have been through together.
I met Rachael when my family moved next door to her's in 1981. Rachael was 11 yrs old and I was 10. I can remember the day as if it was just yesterday, I was on the back patio bouncing a basketball against the wall and Rachael's mother, seeing me all alone and pitiful, sent Rachael over to talk to me. Rachael says it was more by force than choice but neither of us regret that meeting. That day marked the beginning of a friendship that will soon celebrate it's 30th anniversary. So much has happened over the years and even though, Rachael went on spend her high school years at boarding school in both Fletcher, NC and Calhoun, GA we looked forward to holidays, breaks and summers together. It's amazing the trouble two people can dream up in a just a few short days together at at time! Rachael and I lived together more than 5 years prior to my move to Atlanta in July of 2000. Each of us now have the good fortune of living in Athens and both work in Cleveland so we can get together far easier than we are able to see Mary. Thus, why we enjoy these rare opportunities to spend a few days together!
Mary and I met under much different circumstances, at Camp Fairview in the summer of 1985 when she was 15 yrs old and I was 14. My family had recently joined Fairview Baptist Church and my dad, was to spend the day working on some remodeling projects at the church camp. Upon arrival, I entered the camp kitchen and Mary was standing at the sink washing the lunchtime dishes with her sister, Kim. Just as with Rachael, I remember that day so vividly. We became friends shortly after meeting although, Mary told me later that she initially thought she wouldn't like me at all! Over the years, we worked in that same camp kitchen for the next 3 summers, attended Fairview Christian Academy and Cleveland State Community College together, worked together, lived together and vacationed together before her move back to her childhood home in FL in 1999. Our friendship has sustained more than 25 years, funny considering our initial sizeup of each other wasn't the most positive!
There is so much I could say about all that we have shared but there is not enough room on this blog nor enough hours in this day. We have laughed, cried, argued and done things that we never would have done if it meant we had to do it alone. God knit our lives together so many years ago and although our relationships with each other have changed over the years, these girls are as close to my heart as they were the day we met so many years ago.
1 comment:
OMG - I have goose bumps and I am near tears. It is so wonderful to remember 'way back when' and 'the in betweens'! I LOVE and MISS you SOOOOO much!
LYLAS - Mary
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