Let me introduce you to my wonderful friend, Free. I met Free about 10 years ago when I began teaching scrapbook classes & hosting the Moonlight Madness crops at the San Jose, Memories store. We worked together at the store for 4 years. Over the years, since our move, Free & I have kept in touch. We have chatted on the phone, sent emails back & forth, & she follows our blog. I wish I could say that I have been a great pen pal too. Sadly(with my head hanging), I have to admit that I have not been a good pen pal. Free, on the other hand can say that she has been an amazing pen pal. If there is a holiday, I can always count on one of her beautiful handmade cards waiting for me in the mailbox. If she has learned a new technique, I will find one of her amzing creations in my mailbox. I love that she shares her talent with me. She inspires me. Free is always thinking of others. We had another dear friend, Jan from Memories pass away a few years back. Her death was very sudden & unexpected. Knowing that this was extrememly hard for Jan's family, Free asked all of our dear friends to create a scrapbook page with our favrote Jan memory. Free then gave this book to Jan's family. It was important enough to Free to share with Jan's husband, children & grandkids the love & talent that Jan had. It was an amazing gift of love that Free played a huge part in creating & giving to jan's family.
I love Free & count her as one of my dearest friends. This visit had been in the works for months & was something we were both looking forward to! I am so glad Free was able to pull it off.
When our little family left the San Jose/Campbell area, Tanner was 4 & Carter was just shy of 2. Boy, have those two grown up so much since then.
She was able to finally meet Garrett & Brody in person!
I had the best visit with Free. We were able to spend the day together. We were able to enjoy lunch, lots of chatting & catching up, lots of laughter, smiles, a long list of movies I need to see via Free's recommendations(I need that list Free), a trip to Green Tangerines(Free's first time there), finding the perfect pattern paper for her daughters wedding invites, Free played the piano for the boys, enjoyed dinner that included happy & sads from everyone, & of course we had to top of the day with chocolate Crinkles.
Free, I am so glad you made the trip up this way! It has been way too long, friend. It was fun to visit old memories & learn new things about you! I know this entire trip was a BIG deal for you & I am so proud of you! We need to do it again next year, same time, same place...what do ya say :-)? I just want you to know that I love you, admire you & appreciate your friendship! You are truly amazing!
1 comments:
Oh Raimi...I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed being with you and your wonderful family. Really. It was just the best thing ever. Being able to have a long conversation with John was a wonderful icing on the cake. I don't think we've ever really talked together before. He is an amazing man. The whole day was more than I could have hoped for.Pure magic! I am IN LOVE with all your children. And Carter....once again stole my heart with his hug as I left. A lump in my throat on that one. I don't know if this will happen again...I hope it will. This memory ranks up there with all the best ones you have. Thank you so much for the kind words about Jan. That was special. I work through how I feel about people when they pass by doing that sort of book. I did one for some friends who lost their 13 year old daughter to cancer a few years ago. I grabbed my camera at the last minute on the way to what we knew would be her last birthday party. After asking her permission I just snapped and snapped and made a book for her parents. They were so moved and I felt at peace with letting her go. Emily's picture is on our garage bulletin board and is the first thing I see every night. I am so thankful for you Raimi,so thankful. Much love to all of you. Snail mail to follow!!
Free
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