Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Old and new friends

It hasn't been hard to make friends here in Salem, since we moved about a year and a half ago. It has been hard to make GOOD friends. It's hard to leave a place where family are your friends and friends become family. It's easy enough for me to meet other moms, but to really connect with them, let alone if our kids like each other or our husbands connect--that's another story. A couple weeks ago, I found out another friend down here that I really like and want to spend more time with is moving. She's the fourth friend I've made here that has moved away! There are some awesome gals that I look forward to getting to know better, and I know that deep friendships take time. I'm not lonely by any means, just trying to be patient.
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So, in light of these observations about making friends after a move, it has been such a blessing to reconnect with a couple we went to college with. We just had dinner with them last night and I told them that I TRY not to mention first and last names in the same blog post to preserve a little identity security. But those of you who know Seth and Christi from PCC, you don't need me to type their last name. They live in a nearby town where Seth is an associate pastor at a small church. We weren't close with either of them at school, but always liked them. Christi was my RA one year and she was good friends with my roommate, Kelli, so we spent some time together. But I'm so grateful God placed them in our lives at this time, b/c we really seem to click with them as a couple, which is way harder than finding another girl friend, don't you think? Our boys are about a year apart, but get along pretty well. I wanted to post a picture of their cute family. Their kids' names are Isaiah and Ivy. As you can see, the kids were not amused at all by my photo request. So, here's to making new friends, keeping the old ones, and making new friends OUT OF old ones. :)


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

AMEN to this sister!! I feel the same way....i know a TON of girls here, but don't feel close to any of them. What i wouldn't give for all of us old college friends to live on the same state, in the same city on the same street!! Can you imagine how fun that could be? I LOVE Christi and Seth, and seeing this phot makes me want to go call her....so, i am going to!!! P.S. I miss you too, Chonch!!
-K.W.J. (You know who i am right)?

johnsonandjohnson said...

I don't know if they would know me, but I totally remember them. They look GREAT!!!

Beth said...

Jen-
It was so fun to see you today and see Syndey in person! She is a complete doll and I cannot get over how bright-eyed and alert she was!

And Carson is the sweetest little man! He was just chatting away while on the pot! He told me about his new sandals that Tara got him, that his bottom hurts when he's at home, and a few other bits of info...too cute!

I'm so bummed I can't make the party! I'd love to host one when you take it on!

Lisa P said...

I hear you on the friends front--we've been here 5 years and are just starting to find those deep, long-lasting friendships! It is hard to be patient!

Fun get-together and thanks for the pic!

Stephanie said...

I understand too, and I'm STILL at Hope!! :) It's just not the same without all of you here too. You should all just move back to the dorms. Haha!
Btw, my new blog is simplymestephanie@blogspot.com.
Love you!

Anonymous said...

i am ohhh so jealous. :)
actually i'm so glad you guys can all hang out do life together!
good friends are hard to come by for sure! the best part is when i come out again i'll get to see you too. :)

Dionne Sincire said...

So good to reconnect with Seth and Christi through your blog. Though Isaiah and Ivy are none too pleased, I'm excited about your budding friendships. You're so right, they are too rare.

Heidi said...

Jen, I know what you're saying about how it's hard to be patient... Even when you have lots of casual friends, it's tough when you don't have those deeper friendships. We lived here for several years before we started developing those relationships with people. It was really hard to wait - but SO worth it. There are some things that you just can't rush I guess... I'm happy to hear that you have re-connected with some old college friends! I hope that those relationships continue to grow and deepen. Take care!!

Sarah said...

Yay Yay Yay! I'm so glad for both of your families! And jealous that you live so near each other!!!
LOVE love love those dear people!

I was just thinking that friendship-making is something you don't often realize is happening until you look back and see that it has happened.

Praying for you & friendship makings.

Kristen Ann said...

Thanks so much for mentioning me as a friend you will miss! I feel a little famous being on your blog.. seeing how popular it is and all ;). I am bummed I am moving too.. to be honest you girls are really the main reason I don't want to leave!! I'm scared to be a Mom without you!! :) Thanks again and thanks to this blog we can keep in touch much easier.