Friends .... Old and New...

I have been so blessed... with such incredible friends. I fondly remember my college days. There were 6 of us that were completely inseperable Friends to the end. We shared every meal, tear, story, and excitement. What a hard dose of reality to graduate and all go seperate ways. We are all married, live in different parts of the U.S and have very different daily experiences. Quite a change from the "oh so stressful" college dorm days where we laid around all day, ate and watched endless Rosie O'Donnell re-runs. I've been praying since college that God would allow me to experience similar friendships and meet new people our age. God, forever faithful, heard my prayer and has blessed me beyond my expectations. Not long after starting a Sat night small group in our home, the house across the street was put on the market. I jokingly mentioned it at a small group and a week later one of the couples (with a son Brayden's age and at the time a baby on the way) placed an offer. A true God thing. Not only did God hear my prayer, but he moved someone in across the street with a son my child's age!!! They are incredible people and I am so excited to watch our children grow up together. Shelley and I have started walking together some morning and I truly enjoy our time together. Dustin and I have very similar personalities and it's refreshing to know someone that honestly enjoying getting the mail as much as you do. ( I know, it sounds odd, but i LOVE getting the mail!) And as icing on the cake, my old childcare situation fell through and she is now watching Brayden 3 days a week. Completely the Lord.
A second couple in the group were friends of mine from hs youth group. How cool to see them now, married, and that we've reconnected. Our husbands are very very similar and Melina and I get along great! We share similar interests and have a great time together. It's not often that you find another couple that clicks so well together. They are our cruise buddies and I hope to vacation with them frequently. Melina has an amazing heart and I'm so thankful for her.
Also in our neighborhood, tremendous friends....the Morans. They bless our lives each week with our weekly movie night. What a honor to spend time with such a Godly couple with older children. It's such an opportunity for Tony and I to learn and to soak in their wisdom, learn from them and fellowship with their family. Plus, Vicki and I are scarily very similar!
What brought me to this post was reconnecting with a college friend just this week. It has been several years since we had gotten in touch and how wonderful to hear from her. Recently also, my forever friends from college have started emailing quite frequently during the week. It is so exciting to hear about all the new adventures that the Lord takes us all on. We are all soo different but will forever have the 4 year bond of school!
My friendships mean the world to me, true treasures from heaven. I thank the Lord each day for hearing my prayers and for answering far beyond anything I could have imagined and/or hoped for.