We had some visitors this weekend and it was so much fun.

Twelve years ago I met Stacey, she lived in my apartment complex in college. A year later we ended up being roommates and had the best time. Life moved on for both of us as we dated, got married, had children and moved away from each other. It’s hard to keep in contact through years and distance and I’ve lost contact with many people I swore I’d always be close with. But Stacey and I continued to cross paths every couple years. It was just enough to remind me how much I adore our friendship and her laughter. They happened to be in dental school 8 hours from our home in Milwaukee and we were able to visit them one time. I remember sitting at their dining room table talking of our dreams of living close to each other one day, our kids growing up together, riding bikes between houses. It was a pipe dream, but I still long for that dream!

Shortly after our visit, they moved across the world and called Japan home for a couple years and Steve and I planned to go visit them. Unfortunately, our plans of visiting them next spring came to a screeching halt when I got a text from her telling me they were coming back earlier than planned. They just arrived back in the US a couple weeks ago and wouldn’t you know it, they’re living 7 hours away from us for the next year. I about jumped out of my seat when I got a text from her asking what we were doing this weekend. We were completely free, but I would’ve dropped everything I had going on!

The pool kept the kids entertained for great lengths of time and we enjoyed an outdoor movie.

Our little boys are just four weeks apart and they’re already best friends.

Scorpion hunting is always fun and is enough to make our guests squirm!

I taught Stacey the joy of a jig saw and I think I have her convinced it is her best option for a Christmas present. I’m willing to convince anyone they need a jig saw!

Naturally, our jig saw lessons turned into a Halloween craft…in August. I told her I need her to live close just to have a crafting buddy again – someone willing to go along with my crazy ideas for random projects!

Steve was a little tied up this weekend with meetings and finals for school – so when he was finally able to join us, he wrestled the kids, threw them around the pool and played dodgeball with us.

Steve said he loves when I’m around Stacey because he said there’s a side of me that comes out when I’m back with her. The funny, goofy college roommates side that can laugh and laugh for hours over nothing and have the best time doing it. The side that sits on the kitchen counter talking over a bowl of ice cream. The side that gives into peer pressure when it’s suggested we jump into the pool with all our clothes on after midnight.
Before:

After:

I still can’t believe it wasn’t long ago that our families looked like this:

Look how we’ve grown!


They taught my kids the customary peace sign from Japan!



We said goodbye to them this morning as they travelled back home. Life has changed significantly for both of us in the last few years and will continue to change at rapid speeds. But it’s reassuring that we haven’t changed who we are at the core and we still fit together like two peas in a pod. Our kids are now growing up knowing each other and it makes my heart happy to see their friendships. This weekend was evidence once again that relationships are something worth investing in!

Miss you already Stacey!