Yippee for Yesterday

Yippee for yesterday! I'm still smiling. Tired, but smiling!

A few weeks ago we made arrangements to head out to Mason lake after work yesterday to enjoy a few fabulous hours with our dear friends, David and Betsy. Despite the geographical distance, we have managed to keep in touch frequently and see them 1-2 times a year. Our paths ran parallel for a few days last August, but never crossed. This visit was much overdue and well anticipated.

Then, around 9:00pm Tuesday night, after we had gone to bed, Steve received a phone call. Another couple, also close to our hearts despite time and distance gaps, were heading to Olympia. What? Both David's, in Olympia, on the same day?

A quick lunch with David and Lisa was just a tease. Fun, yes, but also very rushed. Also realizing this was a rare opportunity, they were willing to make a (very long) day out of their visit and went with us out to Mason Lake.

Time spent with close friends is amazing, isn't it? It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen each other, or when you last talked. New homes, jobs, babies and adventures shape each of our lives independently, make us older and wiser, or at least we think they do. That is until you meet up with old friends. In their presence, time can stand still. Quick recaps of recent happenings easily come to pass, making way for only the most important of things: enjoying quality friendships. Formalities aside, the "remember when's" begin. As only good friends can, they help us forget all the pressing responsibilities and anxieties and provide a healthy dose of reality. How easily we slip into some version of our former selves. Or maybe, that "old self" is always there, it just gets hidden over time, covered by a mask for each of our new roles and responsibilities. True friends see right through this. They'll poke fun at your weaknesses, remind you of your strengths and make you laugh until your belly aches and tears are rolling down your cheeks. Yes, I'd say we managed to make the most of our time together yesterday.

Another evening highlight was taking Peyton out on his first boat ride. It was a bit cool and windy on the lake with the threat of rain, although the male ego came out to play and so the guys each took a turn water skiing anyway. To build up their courage the guys wanted to cruise the lake by boat first and so we all piled in the boat for a quick ride. Peyton was a little irritated when we outfitted him in the big puffy life vest, but settled down once he realized that "it" was really a giant chew toy put on him for his chewing pleasure! It turns out that boating could be a decent bed time routine since the gentle bobbing almost put him to sleep.

Anyway, as I said before: Yippee for yesterday!