At least one weekend each year is spent with my family and the Cahn/Sparer family at their home in Annapolis. We gather for delicious meals, intelligent conversation, raucous laughter, silly board games, and of course, taking the boat out and swimming in the pool. I absolutely cherish this time, for they are our oldest family friends... beginning when Maggie & Olivia were in playgroup at age 1. The three of us grew up like sisters... walking to school together (we lived in the same neighborhood), playing after school, having dinner at one another's houses, sleepovers on the weekends, family trips to the beach, decorating the Christmas tree at their house every year. I realize now how fortunate I was to have another set of parents looking out for my well-being, my happiness and my health.
It was so upsetting to see them leave Montgomery County when Maggie & Olivia began 6th grade. Our families were separating by more miles than my young mind could understand, and while it was the best choice for their family, Maggie & I felt like our threesome had been broken and would never repair.
Although the parents stayed in consistent contact, the three of us girls lost touch for several years. It was to be expected, with all that middle and high school keeps your young mind involved in. We had boys to like, sleepovers to attend, girl drama to deal with... not to mention actual classes, extracurricular activities and eventually, thinking about our college futures.
Luckily the three of us grew up healthy & happy, and when college began, as had been planned all along, so again did the sisterly communication. We knew where we were each at school, what we were studying, the names and info of select friends, boys that meant something, and important life events worth mentioning. At that point, I had high hopes that our childhood friendship would surpass most and continue until ripe old age. I know now that I am right...
While I cannot remember exact dates - at some point when Maggie & Olivia were still at college, or maybe shortly after, the family weekends began. Marj & Jerry having a wonderful home right on the water in Annapolis, complete with swimming pool, boat, a large dining room table and several bedrooms, my family gathered our things and spent glorious weekends with our dear old family friends. Myself being the emotional basket-case I am when anything under the sun is "beautiful," frequently cried during the toasts given at dinners, about how special it was to have friends this near and dear to the heart, how proud our parents were watching us grow up to be the young women we were now, and how important it was to have people in life to turn to at a moment's notice, without hesitation, and know they genuinely care what's happening in your life.
Through it all, the consistent knowledge remains - we're there for each other. Even now, I'm brought to tears thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to have these people with me on the roller-coaster ride of life. Whether I'm at my most devastating weight and feel like the whole world considers me disgusting; whether I've just lost both grandparents in a plane crash and am suffering through a deep depression; whether I seem to be lost in my college courses and simply can't graduate without a push; whether I've just been passed over for a promising job and feel as though I'll never amount to anything great.
Today I am thankful for:
SherriJoyce King (my mother)
Hussein Amin (my father)
Maggie Amin (my sister)
Marj Cahn Sparer (my honorary mother)
Gerald Sparer (my honorary father)
Olivia Sparer (my honorary sister)
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