I miss my husband. I miss my babies. And yet, part of my excitement to return is knowing that when I do they will get a better version of me than the one that departed three days ago.
This trip, this time, these moments -- a dream come true.
About 6 months ago, during a rare text exchange with Leslie, I said, "Can we just have a night at Conference? Or South Beach? I don't care which." (These are bars we frequented in college. A lot of dancing. A lot of memories. A lot of fun. No stress.) We giggled. Obviously, this wasn't going to happen.
Life is hard. It is stressful. So. Much. Stress. But I wanted time -- time with my friend to talk and share and just love. When in the world would we get that time? Would we ever? We have demands, responsibilities, families, and distance.
Instead of dismissing my desire (aren't we all guilty of that?), I held on to it and kept hope that there would be an opportunity. It will happen, I thought. And, there was an opportunity. No more than a month later I saw that someone I had really been wanting to hear speak would be sitting on a panel and doing a keynote speech in Dallas. Instead of making excuses (the kids have swimming, we have to work, I can't leave the kids, Tyler has a demanding schedule ... there are a lot), I talked to Tyler. We decided I would book a flight to Dallas. I put on Facebook that I would be in town and quickly received a message from my very first college roommate that she wanted to get together. Wow, what an unforeseen blessing. And, I called my friend Lyndsay, "I am coming to town and I want to see you." Flight was booked, plans were made, bags were packed ... dreams were coming true.
Leslie and I spent a morning together. It was almost spiritual as we gathered around her perfectly set table. I thought I could cry. I couldn't believe I was there. The two of us, our Moms, one of her babies, our memories, our shared experiences. Our love for one another. It was all there.
Lunch with Linsey brought back memories I had forgotten, rekindled a friendship from more than a decade ago, and presented opportunities to get together in the future. Our lives have changed, but we were there for each other in special seasons of life and this time it won't be 13 years before we see each other again.
My sleepover at Lyndsay's, our conversations, and my time playing with her kids on the floor provided the comfort and assurance that the geographical distance between us wouldn't create the space I had allowed with Leslie and Linsey.
Four days. Three friends. Two-day health event with amazing speakers. One big 'ole dream come true. I am bursting. And, I am so thankful. My husband, my kids, my friends, my job ... all so incredibly special and important. I have enough to give, to share, to offer. I am enough. My cup is full. And, I have the power to make my dreams come true. That, my friends, is more than comforting. It is freeing.
What is your dream?
