Friendship

In the words of Norah Jones Come away with me....Yes, come away with me to a place where our roots don't need touched up, we look fantastic in skinny jeans, all our kids' homework is done and the dishes don't need washed.  Of course, no such place exists but wouldn't it be amazing if it did?  My closest encounter with this "place" is when I'm with my two closest girlfriends.  I was lucky enough to have them visit me this weekend from OH.  Every woman should have friends like these.  I walk away from our time together feeling refreshed and renewed.  There's something about real conversation with women going through the same life ups and downs as me, that makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.  The mentality that if they can do it, maybe I can do it too.  I feel their unwaning support no matter where I choose to take my life.

This move to Lexington has been an emotional smack in the face for me.  This is true on many levels but specifically with my relationships.  I've learned what and whom I need to function.  I've learned that I'm not big on being alone.  I've learned that a three and a half hour drive IS a long way for me to travel when I want a cup of coffee and a girl's night, but it seems only a quick jaunt if a family member or close friend needs me.  I realized after visiting with some of my friends here in Lexington (also transplants) that I'm blessed to have moved only a small road trip from my friends and family in OH.  Many of them are a full day's plane ride away from their crew.

Speaking of these fantastic people I've met in Lexington....The true key to my seeming win at keeping my sanity, is the amazing women I've met here.  Ladies, thank you for your honesty, sincerity and support.  Having a good laugh, a cup of coffee or even a playdate invite from you has made me feel welcome and like we really can plant some roots here.  I'm amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit that flows here as well.  I've met many women that started their own businesses from their homes to be able to be with their kids.  We're not talking envelope stuffers here.  These are successful women that have built a profitable cake design business, daycares, a children's clothing design business and even a woman that was so valuable to her employer, that she was given the option to work from home.  How inspiring! 

The Lex native girlfriends I've made have introduced me to Lexington.  They've schooled Matt and I on great restaurants, family fun spots and even school district do's and don'ts.  The MOMS group I joined is filled to the brim with interesting, intelligent and educated women that choose to stay home with their kids.  I was lucky enough to have been introduced to an editor in my MOMS group that offered me a writing job for a woman's website.  Again, working from home so that I can be with my kiddos.  A friend of our realtor emailed me a list of fantastic doctors, stores and Lexington businesses to visit after she heard we moved here without knowing anyone in the area.

All of this is friendship.  These are women that stretched out their arms and welcomed me and my family to Lexington.  I only hope that I will some day touch even one woman's life in the way that so many have mine.  I hope to have conversations and chats that will leave my girlfriends walking away feeling renewed and refreshed.  We're all in this together.  In the mean time, I'll just say thanks.