Blessed Friendship!

One day I was sitting at our computer excited about our trip to California. I decided to look up Santa Cruz on a map, and get a better look at the paradise we were soon to flying into. I pulled up the map and saw that it was on the Monterey Bay. "Oh my!" I thought. We had recently learned that some of our dearest friends lived close to the Monterey Bay. Could it be true? Oh was it ever!! And it made paradise soo much sweeter! 

You see, Sean and Stephanie Braniff were some of our very first friends as a married couple. We spent our college years with them. And were also blessed to live only a few hours from them in VA. (they found our apartment for us). We have so many sweet memories of hot chocolate, and fondu, and singing, and laughing, and gaming, and snoring (we won't mention who), and fishing, and the list goes on and on and on. 

You know those types of friends, that the road brings miles between you, and time stretches further and further apart, yet you join together again and it is as if nothing ever stood between you? You pick up with just has much love, and laughter as you left off? Thats them. 

Friendship. True simple friendship. I have a few words that describes my feelings best. As we spent the day together, and to be in their company again.

Peaceful. Easy. Joyful. Overall incredible.

If I may steal a word Steph? - Brilliant! 

They are the latter. Pure and simple truth.

Since we last saw each other, they had their first sweet baby boy Liam. We were overjoyed to finally be able to meet him. What a perfect, sweet little mix of Steph and Sean. An easy going temperment, so wide eyed and observant of all that goes on around him. He even let me snuggle and sway and walk him! And dealt with all the crazy children running around like a champ. Of course he did, look at who his parents are! 

We relaxed at the beach house, wondered the board walk, had pizza, sat on the beach, reminisced, and caught up on life anew. All the while, Liam was calm - and awake. And they put up with our chaos and craziness of having 7 grandkids in all different directions. We are so grateful that we were able to again cross paths, if even for a short while. 

(tanner was asleep and Eli was too busy playing for a picture)

They have been there for us through thick and thin, and helped us and loved us. Oh how grateful we are for friends like these! We can't wait to see you again! Thank you a million times over for playing hookie and spending the day with us! Until we meet again!