Good Friends, Great Times

Last night my dear friend Angelle took me out to Thyme on 21 for dinner to celebrate our birthdays (her husband Jay treated us...thanks Jay, your generosity is very much appreciated!). What a delightful treat that was! I wish I would have taken my digital camera to get a picture of my entree, the restaurant (a century home), our walk along the boardwalk in Goderich and of course a picture of my beautiful Angelle.

I have been abundantly blessed with good friends. I am utterly amazed by the way God has brought over a half dozen amazing women into my life as friends over the past 8 months. I've always been the type of girl who never had many female friends. In highschool there were a few of us that hung around (and even a couple I still keep in close touch with...love ya Sari!), but in youth groups and social settings I tended to hang out with the guys. I thought women were too 'catty' and most of them disliked me as well (probably because I was well accepted into the guys group). It was pretty easy really, all I had to do was learn some stuff about hockey, then I was a shoe-in :). I actually came in 3rd in a hockey pool in 1993 during the playoffs. I really did my homework! I beat a lot of guys in that pool!

I've noticed since I've gotten older however, that I treasure my female friends so much. Besides, I doubt Joel would be super impressed if I was hanging out in a pub watching hockey with a dozen guys on a Friday night :). There is something special about sitting down with girlfriends and sharing joys, frustrations, dreams and heartbreaks that just makes life so sweet.

Last night was a perfect example. While slowly enjoying our gourmet food, we chatted the evening away. It was so refreshing to me after a hard day at home (Joel put his back out and can't move :( To be child-free for a few hours and to have some adult conversation was amazing. I'm also so thankful for Joel who encourages my friendships with women and doesn't feel threatened by the openness that we share. Thanks Joel for putting the kids to bed last night so I wouldn't have to miss my birthday dinner. I know it was hard on you!

And thanks God for blessing me with my girlfriends.

Mel