The change a year can bring

One year ago Amy left for Chicago and I was best-friendless. It hit at a low point for me - I was having one of those "mom" identity crisis moments. You wake up one day and you realize that you don't have any hobbies, any spark or any fun. Instead of being a competent professional you spend your days dealing with diapers, tantrums and the demands of little imps who can barely speak, let alone form a rational desire. You're jealous of your husband and his job because even though he works hard, at least he gets to talk to adults! And you look in the mirror and you wonder "who am I?" Thank goodness for Joe who is and will always be the rational one. In spite of a lot of tears and yelling (me) his response was "then find something you like and do it."

I think Joe thought I would take up something a little more exciting - like running or longboarding or perhaps forming aspirations to be a roller derby girl. However, even though Amy was leaving, she did give me an excellent consolation prize - her spot in her cooking and book clubs! I may have been nervous and unsure but I should have had more faith in Amy. Nerdy yes, but twice a month I got to escape to good food, fun books and, most of all, wonderful friends.

So today I am grateful for these awesome girls. Amy, of course, who has stayed my best friend over hundreds of miles (did you really leave?) The crazy-talented Hannah, who always inspires serious shoe envy and was also braved the novice peach-canning night with me. Bethany, Scrabble champion of the world who shares my love for dinosaurs. Amanda, who would tempt me to stay in the parking lot talking for several hours in spite of some crazy lady yelling at us from the second floor. Cicada, who always makes me laugh and can bake a chocolate raspberry torte that will make you want to marry it and treasure it forever. And Jenny, who not only has single-handedly re-introduced the word "dude" into many vocabularies, but will selflessly help anyone in need and will one day save the world. Seriously, I love you all.