On Roadtripping to See Old Friends (US Northeast Road Trip 14 Part 1)

The kids and I went on a little Halloween road trip this year. We had a four-day weekend from school and we were determined to make it the Harrisons.  It was Joshua's birthday wish. These two have been friends since they were capable of having friends as little boys. I think J was three when they first met in New Jersey.

So while Dan worked all weekend on church work and submitting papers for review, we drove to Boston to see Oakley. It took about two seconds for them to catch up. Over two days they played a lot of "silly ball" and table hockey, but we also went for a few walks outside in spit of the snow flurries and freezing winds. 

Who wins in the height contest? We're not sure, but we can definitely tells who has the larger noggin.

We sent Oakley to school on Monday, said our goodbyes and drove south, but as we did I counted my blessings that we could make this trip. Joshua said aloud "this trip was totally worth it" before we had even turned off their street. 

We love the Harrisons. We ate crockpot meals and pancakes and enjoyed attending church with them. I feel super lucky that Oakley's mom, Christanne, is one of my favorite people because fulfilling this birthday request meant a reunion for me, too. 
{Christanne and Kelly, if you are reading this, could you please recreate your visit, Kelly, and take a picture of it so that I can insert it here? I regret that I didn't document that.}

Moments I get with old friends are indescribably meaningful to me.

Speaking of old friends, we were lucky enough to stay with my friend Rachel, too. She and I go back about fourteen years to the day in December of 2000 when we were assigned to be mission companions in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. That was such a happy time in my life, but that joy has continued post-mission as we have checked in with each other. We've been able to meet up in  Seattle, New Jersey, and this is our second time meeting in Connecticut where she now lives. 

I snapped this photo of her corralling the kids for a group shot. It was kind of emotional for me to realize all that we're doing and all that we've done since our first introductions. We both work with the youth-aged girls at church. We both struggle through keeping in touch with our families on the other side of the country. We both remember Portugal fondly and draw on our experiences serving the people there. I love that when we are together we skip all the intros and move right into talking about the challenges and joys of life. I love her laugh and her optimism--those two attributes of hers have always been an influence for good in my life.