A Long Time Coming...

The beginning of this story starts about 5 years ago... Two women living in different parts of the country expecting a child. One was to have a girl and the other a boy... For one woman her journey was new- and the other... though not new entirely it had been a few years since having had her first child but fun and exciting all the same.

Each had joined a forum to talk about their pregnancies. People of all stages joined to discuss this pain or this ache or the first feel of butterflies when the baby began moving. With the end of each trimester of the pregnancy you would move to the next level of the forum so you be more specific in learning about what was happening right now. "This week my peanut has developed little arms and is weighing in at 3 oz..." "you are leaking what... from where!" If you have ever had children you discuss parts of the anatomy with complete strangers and feel this is completely normal... Don't ask me why people-I don't make the crazy rules in life, I merely enjoy them... meaning I am open and feel at ease with most people... and realize that if I am honest- I am not the only one in life to have experienced X-Y or Z... so that said, someone out there will find my knowledge useful... (Ok, there is someone out there who doesn't know better and to them I just might be a genius... it could happen..)

So back to my novel... The two women (one having a girl and the other having a boy living in two parts of the country) meet on the forum somewhere towards the end of the first trimester. They discussed many things over the next several months and would even send photos and correspond via email away from the forum. As they neared their due dates with much to do and prepare for they knew it would be a little while before chatting again. I am sure at some point they both wondered if they would chat again or share photos of their new bundles of joy... Their due dates were about two weeks apart...and as it turned out one woman went into labor about a week late and the other about a week early-meeting exactly in the middle. The little girl being born one day before the little boy.

Weeks would pass before correspondence would pick up. Each finding the courage to share photos and a part of their precious life on line with a complete stranger. Their friendship continued and eventually weeks turned to months to years... A friendship that has only grown better just as their children... They often talk about "someday" getting together to meet and introduce the children and just having a cup of coffee.... I think as much as we want to do all of those things life has a way of happening and we get busy and before you know it... 5 years have passed and you know each other very well only through emails and photographs.... It is just not the same as human contact. A hug and a warm smile to say "Hi Friend... I have been thinking about you!"

Then it happened- not as you think in your mind it might if it were you... but it happened that one woman's husband would be working in the exact town of the other... What are the odds... Well, friends they are great! Meet my friends Preeti, Saina and Sudhi! Preeti and I were pregnant with Saina and Ayden at the same time and Saina is one day older than Ayden. You can't even imagine my shock when after we had the kids to find out just how close we were together. And I still can't believe that after 5 years of being online friends they were in Jacksonville for a week! I was so nervous to actually meet her... and that sounds crazy, but talking online and talking face to face are two totally different things! Would she like me- do I talk too much (don't comment about that anyone!) would we have enough in common to carry a conversation- would her hubby think me a complete kook! (Don't answer that either!) =o) But we had a blast- we were able to visit 3 times during the week and it turns out it was like I had seen her yesterday for lunch and there was nothing to be nervous about at all! I adored her so much more in person than I thought would be possible. We even made time for a family session. Sudhi was the best. He literally came straight in from work and into a session! (Thanks again Sudhi! You were amazing!) We went to Walter Jones for the session and thankfully finished up and headed off for margaritas just in time before we got carried away by a swarm of mosquitoes.. Anyway- the story is a true one and one I am just so privileged to be a part of. Saina is just a remarkable little girl and Preeti and Sudhi are simply beautiful from the inside out. We enjoyed all the time we had and look forward to the next time we get together. I will be flying to see them next time!

Much love to you and thank you so much for your friendship! Huggs! ~S.