old friends.....

After Meg's game last night, we gathered up all our chairs, jackets and blankets. (I know it's just a week or so away, but I'm ready for warm weather. The bride is wearing wool sweaters and polar fleece to the softball games, covering up with down blankets, and still complaining that it's cold.) We piled into the car and headed out towards the exit.

As we were driving out, I noticed this grey pickup coming towards us. He got closer and the driver was pointing at me. I said to the bride, "Who is this redneck?" From the back seat, Meg said "That's Mark McKay!" So we did an illegal u-turn and followed him back to the parking lot.

Mark and Laney McKay, and their 4 kids, are some of our all-time best friends. We've known them for almost 15 years, but we've not kept up with each other much over the past couple of years. After going to church together (off and on) for almost 10 years and seeing each other 2-3 times a week, it's hard to find time to do things together with everyone's schedules. We've celebrated things together, and we've cried about things together over the years. Our friendship is the kind that would be there for the other at a moment's notice. Almost like family.

You know what it's like when you see an old friend and you have to search for something to say? It's nothing like that with them. Mark and I started talking immediately about everyday things, and Laney bear-hugged the bride when she saw her. Again, we picked up right where we left off.

We got home a little later than normal last night, but it was well worth it. We all talked about how much we missed being around them, and how that we should make it a point to get together with them soon. It's a great idea, and one that I'd love to follow through with. I hope it happens.....