Sarah and I met in 9th grade, and she's one of those people who would play a big part in my biography if ever one were written: together over the years we've played soccer, acted in plays, gotten in lots of trouble, celebrated birthdays (we're six days apart), driven cross-country, planned our weddings, cried happy tears over the births of each others' children, and sad ones over each others' losses. Despite busy schedules and the thousands of miles that separate us, we talk nearly every week, but those realities do mean that we don't get to see each other very often. So despite the fact that it was the week leading up to Oliver's 7th birthday - which included party planning and visiting in-laws - when Sarah told me that she and her daughter Iris were going to be in Nashville visiting her parents last week, I knew I had to get there. This sweet girl is, after all, as close to a niece as I might ever have: Sarah & Iris, Ralph & Harriette: I miss you already, but it was so good catching up... thank you for letting me crash your visit!

xox,

annemie