I visited northern California last month for a refueling four days with my two best friends. I met Lindsay when we were 11. We were barefoot in bikinis and our dads’ jobs had brought both of us to suburban Atlanta. Neither of us liked it there and we liked each other a whole lot. She stepped on a giant frog moments after our introduction and we squealed and laughed and that pretty much set the tone for the next 25 years.
I met Paige in my college dorm bathroom when I dyed my hair red. We held hands through our freshman year, drinking too much beer, thinking too much about boys and not enough about school. In a tower of young women vying for sorority placement, we connected over environmental activism, a love of art and desire to travel. Turns out two fish out of water learn to breathe together.
Some of my daughters’ friends will be lifelong friends. They will remember things shared and lost. They will remember firsts and finals. They will grow up and move away. They will save airline miles to travel to their childhood friends’ homes.
But, first, now, they are small and mighty children whose only thoughts on the future involve dangly earrings and ability to bike to the creek without grown ups.
Margot finished kindergarten a few weeks ago. It feels altogether soft and right that we will have a first grader. And it feels altogether impossible. Wasn’t my girl with four giant teeth, a gusto for monkey bars and a constellation of nose freckles learning to sign for milk just a bit ago?
Yes, she was. And now she is this person who walks in her own direction with sparkly band aids on both knees, my blood traveling her veins.
Ruby is done with her first year of preschool. I want to chew on the last bits of her mispronounced words. I say yes to uppey! even when I don’t want to carry my non-baby baby.
Do you still a’member when I was in your belly mama? she asks with her palm flat on my sternum.
Yes.
And I kicked a lot? And when I was born you didn’t know my name for a long time? And Margot called me sister born? A’member that?
Yes.
If I could preserve one thing from their childhood forever it would be how they frog their legs up and around my middle. Margot promised me she will do it until she is 19.
We are in the thick of summer hosting around here, our seventh houseguest in three weeks arriving tonight. We love company and feel lucky to live in a place our beloveds visit and pass through on their way to elsewhere. And somewhere in between and around changing sheets and making large dinners and squeezing my work into small corners of the day, I am leaning into summer with my daughters. The freedom of nothing and everything to do.
15 Comments
That photo of Ruby running down the road with the baby carriage & flying cape behind her… Wow! That is a snapshot of what she believes Mamas are.
I love reading your words & I’m very grateful that you share your thoughts.
Love from AZ. ☺️
Totally agree.
It’s really great.
You transported me, again, with your writing. I love how you catalog their growth, as well as yours. Nice to wake up and read your words this morning. Enjoy your houseguests, your garden, your family, your summer. xoxo
So beautifully written, life long friends are to be cherished. And those girls of yours stretching and growing into their own amazing selves. Magic. So lucky to read your words and be touched by your beautiful, intentional, and ever present heart. Meeting you at Doe Bay was a gift! Happy Summer!
Ahhh! I remember “sister born.” So sweet.
I have had the same best friend since first grade. And she just said to me the other day – “I don’t really remember my life without you in it.” I realized how true that is – how lucky we are to have had each other through ALL stages of life. Another set of eyes and ears bearing witness to our story – no matter how messy and complicated it is.
Hi Nici,
I’ve read your blog for years but I rarely comment… I loved this post and just wanted to say that I love how genuine and authentic you are! Thanks for sharing, your writing is beautiful. 🙂
-Madelyn
I totally remember “sister born”! That was what, last year?
You are so blessed to have *those* friends.
Beautiful slice of your life, of all of our lives, really. As always.
Love everything about this. Beautiful post. Very inspiring and just what I needed.
-Sara
I wish I could live closer to watch/experience Margot & Ruby’s excitement of life! It makes my heart swell knowing they wade in the same creeks I did, ride bikes on the same streets, hike the same trails and get to call Montana home! They wear it well…
I swear you, Lindsey & Paige get more beautiful with every year!
Love you Burb! xo, Mom
correction…Lindsay!
Really beautiful. I love the growth of my children and the discovery of who they are. Right now I say yes to “Nuss, mama” even though Jasper’s 27 pounds on his three feet of toddler doesn’t exactly look like a nursling. (It’s been a back and forth theme of my life right now… A struggle. I didn’t mean to bring it up even and I could backspace but I’m not going to)
I love your spirit- which truly comes through through your writing.
“My blood traveling their veins” <3
XO, Mama.
Your girls and you live in one of the most beautiful places in the USA. Wish my grandsons could experience what your girls do on a daily basis.
As always, so love your writing and your heart.
So I’m super curious- how did Lindsay and Paige end up being friends, too?? Looks like all three d you were together- did you foster the connection?
great post and photos. ruby and the carriage. the best.