Forever Friends…

… This weekend was a little unusual for me. I was paying a visit, a long overdue visit, to one of my oldest closest friends.

The purpose of the visit was to help yet another old friend, celebrate her 40th Birthday.

I was a tad apprehensive about the journey to Surrey as I have never driven that far and to add to my apprehension, I woke up on Saturday morning to an unwelcome thunder-storm! It had calmed down by the time I set off, but returned several times during the journey. The 2 and a bit hour journey that subsequently took 3 1/2 hours due to sheltering at service stations from the intermittent torrential blinding downpours.

Finally after 5 motorways and a few pretty country roads, I arrived to a refreshingly warm welcome from one of my dearest friends.

I was treated to the most delicious homemade soup for lunch. I think it was sweet potato and pumpkin, plus a few other lovely things! It was presented with mouth-watering whole grain bread and followed by a huge bowl of blueberries. I was feeling very healthy and very spoilt!

After a whirlwind tour of her stunning Victorian Terrace Home, we changed our clothes and set off to buy the Birthday Girl’s present.

The Birthday Girl lives in Windsor, so I was taken on a little ‘drive by’ tour of Ascot and Lego Land on the way!

Her face was full of surprise when she saw me walk into her garden. We haven’t seen each other for about 15 years! She hasn’t changed very much at all! She was always pretty and girly and now she is Mom to a 4-year-old little girl and a little boy, just 18 months old, both very blonde and absolutely beautiful.
She is about to become a Deputy Head Teacher! How utterly grown up!
I was feeling rather proud of all she’s achieved, even if it did make me think about the age deputy heads were when we were at primary school. Were they really only 40? Blimey, I used to think they were ancient! Hmmm, it’s not that reassuring when you realise that’s how kids must see us 40 somethings now! 🙂

We reminisced with her mom about our dance classes together as young girls and tried to recall the last time we saw one another.

The wonderful thing about old friends is that despite that fact that you often drift apart and don’t see one another for many years, within seconds, it feels like no time has passed at all.

Her Big Bro was obviously there too, with his family. He really hadn’t changed much either, just a few lines and grey hairs, adding character to his still handsome face. He was in my Big Bro’s year, looking back, I honestly don’t know where the years have gone. It was also good to meet some of the Birthday Girl’s ‘now’ friends who were also there to help celebrate her special milestone birthday.

Around 9.30pm Jo and I, decided to say our goodbyes and thank you’s and make our way back to my her beautiful little house in Surrey, where we spent the rest of the evening with a bottle of wine, a cup of tea! Popcorn and a good old girly natter about all things past and present. I have seen her a few times over the years but not as often as we really should. It didn’t matter though. The conversation was easy and it made me realise how lucky I am to still have her in my life.

A good nights sleep followed in her cosy bed, surrounding by beautiful kitsch accessories and tastefully restored furniture, while she crashed in her housemates bed in the next room.

Finally, before I headed home, I was treated once again, to a delicious Continental breakfast in the garden. The croissants were divine and accompanied with jams, berries, yogurt and fruit juice, a real treat!

While my weekend had been absolutely perfect, back at home, I had been completely oblivious to the fact that my BFF had been taking care of my loved ones. She had taken my youngest to a rescue hair appointment, coughed up the extra money that she needed! Treated her to a KFC, ferried her to a party, then fed and watered my Hubby on Saturday night to save him from being home alone!

Good friends are irreplaceable and I honestly have no idea what I would do without mine. x