Laughter, Hoagies, and Falling Waters

I started teaching at Seneca Ridge Middle School in Virginia in September of 1996. The staff was composed of seasoned professionals, creative teachers, all dedicated to their students. Within that group was small rogue group, similarly motivated, always ready with a laugh, a wild idea, or a perfectly timed joke. Luckily, I hit it off with them from the start. 

Someone would come up with an idea, a ridiculous plan, mostly harmless, one to which we probably should have said no. But we couldn’t, because we knew it would create a moment where everyone would be laughing too hard to breathe. I say everyone, eh, there may have been some outside of our merry band that perhaps didn’t find our escapades as humorous.

As it does, life scattered us and challenged us in different ways. But the memories of those moments were always close, able to be called up with an overheard word or a random Facebook post. A lot of us haven’t seen each other in years but I’m sure, just like me, they remember the stories and laughs years later.

This month, Julieann, Susan, Angela and I spent the weekend together near Falling Waters, a house designed by Frank Llyod Wright in Pennsylvania. We toured the house, found a couple of good beers at a local brewery, and did a little shopping. We stayed at a charming rustic AirBNB.

Reconnecting with friends is both nostalgic and soul-filling. It’s a chance to enjoy friendships that have survived busy years and major life changes. Although there are changes in life, some things are constant. In true character, Susan brought carrots and celery and Julieann brought a 4 foot hoagie and cookies. Julieann got us involved in a long conversation with the manager of a hiking/camping store. Inside jokes resurfaced ("Who’s the real pig?"). New ones were born ("So much scaffolding!" and "Do you know Nicole?"). Getting together made us feel happy, valued, and supported in whatever we were navigating in life. I’m grateful that they are my friends.

There is power in lasting friendships even if there are years between seeing each other. I don’t know where any of us will be  in 5 years, in 10 years but I know they will always be in my life. The memories I have created with them bring a smile to my face and their friendship always brings a warmth to my heart.