Fabulous Visiting Friends

I've said this once and I'll say it again, one of the greatest blessings in my life are the life long and loyal friends I've made over the years.  I count myself one lucky girl.  Over the past few years, many of these friends have moved off to the great unknown...away from Utah.  Which means, away from me.  I miss them dearly, but luckily these friends come back to visit on occasion.  Last week I got to see two of these great friends.  Their visits energized my soul.

First, I visited the lovely Eliza Jayne.  She was in the area visiting her parents with her sweet baby girl.  Eliza and I met while serving LDS missions in England.  We were never companions, but we wanted to be.  Once we returned back home, we were roommates at BYU and had a blast together.  So many great road trips and adventures were had.  Now Eliza is out in the Midwest with her husband and baby.

I was so excited to hear Eliza was going to be in town.  I got to Eliza's parents house at 6pm.  Cue the non-stop chatter.  For 5 hours we caught up, sharing what has been going on in our lives and minds.  Eliza is one of those people that just gets me.  She's such positive and genuine person.  Everyone needs a friend like that.

Eliza and her baby.

My next friend in town was the amazing Julianne.  Julianne and I have known each other since we were 5!  That is a long time.  Julianne knows so many embarrassing stories from my life, good thing we are friends.  Julianne is living on the East coast with her husband and two kiddos.

Danny and I showed up at Julianne's parents on a warm Sunday afternoon.  We chatted with Julianne and her husband Nathan.  Julianne and I have known each other so long, that she and her family are an extension  of my own family.  Whenever I say a random comment, Julianne just laughs.  She is always encouraging and insightful.  I made sure to plead the case of why they should move back to Utah.  It's a good idea. :)  Then Julianne's family fed us the most amazing Sunday dinner.

Me, Julianne and her miracle baby boy.  (Seriously, this little boy faced some
scary health issues when he was born, but now he is healthy and happy)

After catching up with my dear visiting friends, I felt uplifted and validated.  They are such great examples to me.  I love seeing my friends as moms.  I love meeting and holding their little ones.  And to my long, lost friends who haven't visited for awhile, you need to!  (You know who you are.)