This One is For You, Sarah!

I know that all of us have had people in our lives who somehow through time and space fall out of contact. It happens. Life moves fast, life gets busy, and all of a sudden you realize you haven't talked to a friend in over 2 years! One of those friends for me is a special person who I met years and years ago through mutual friends.

We ended up becoming house mates after I moved back from Portland in 2005. We had another house mate, Liser - Sarah and Liser had been besties since they were wee little tykes. Anyhoo - needless to say, there was drama, boyfriends, dinners, drinks, but mostly there was fun! We had some of the most amazing house parties, BBQ's, and some of the best times were when it was just the 3 of us...Friday nights were usually movie nights where we giggled, had drinks, had smokes and sushi with a movie. I can remember us making our own jokes and laughing until we were crying on numerous occasions.

Since then, friendships have been strained, tested, and separated through distance. Unfortunately Sarah and I really lost contact. We both met people around the same time, and have since built lives with them (four years ago). The last time I saw Sarah was probably over two years ago and since then have only sent brief emails. A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call from her Mom to invite me to her surprise baby shower.

Another friend and I decided to go - and were so glad that we did! The moment that Sarah walked into the shower, she saw us and her eyes welled up with tears... it was a heartening moment where we all realized that too much time had passed, and how important it is to be there for your friend's special moments. We all knew how powerful this interaction and small gesture had been, and it really warmed my heart knowing how much it meant for Sarah that I was there. I was so happy to be there!

I also found out that Sarah is one of my 4 readers :) So I wanted to write this blog for her, and let her know that I am so happy for her and her new adventure into motherhood! Congrats to you and Dave! This one's for you Sar-bear!

The Big Island

GREG AND I CELEBRATED 4 YEARS OF CREATING AN AMAZING RELATIONSHIP THIS FEBRUARY!

Greg and I took our yearly winter vacation to Hawaii this year. Getting away in February is such a nice break from the cold and rainy NW winters, we have been able to do something sunny and beachy for the past 3 years. It is so important for our relationship and our souls to take some time and recharge, preferably in the sun! I am so lucky to have a partner who puts travel at the top of his priorities too. We like to travel together, and we also encourage each other to travel separately. I think that it's healthy and fabulous to have that understanding.

My best friend Mike moved there with his lovely partner Hannah. A few days before we arrived, they got engaged! We were thrilled to spend some time with them and celebrate their new lives out on the Big Island. I have only been to Hawaii once before, and it was also to visit Mike when he lived in Maui. I love the islands, and the weather is so perfect. High of 80 and a low of 70. The island breeze makes this northwest girl feel like she's reached paradise!

We were able to drive around the island visiting both the Kona and Hilo sides. The Big Island has many different climates, including lava fields, dry climates, tropical, and mountains. We loved seeing the landscape and hiking around. I ate like a pig, the plate lunches are incredible and filling! The Kailua pork was on every menu, and we were able to do a fabulous sushi night as well. Local food is so important to me and Greg, and we were so happy to get a taste of some of that local Hawaiian flair! The beaches were beautiful, and we can't wait to get back next year for Mike and Hannah's wedding.

Now back to the routine, pounding out the rest of this bachelor's degree... June can't come soon enough!