I was never one to have lots of friends. I have had a handful of close friends my entire life and that is totally fine with me. The problem with not making groups of friends though, like in college, was that I never had girls to go on trips with. I have heard many who take regular “girl’s trips”, get together with old friends, meet up somewhere fun and catch up. Well, one of the blessings of moving away from Tennessee was that I did leave a group of friends behind. And that allows me the chance at a “girl’s trip”. So at 36, I had my first one.

God blessed my time in TN with different groups. I had individual people who meant a lot to me, I had my small group from church, and I had amazing neighbors. This trip was arranged by the girls that lived all around me. Five of us took 2 days out of life to have a road trip to Asheville, NC. We ate at only local diners, visited a waterfall near the Smoky Mountains, shopped and just relaxed together. Being real, catching up on life.

I returned home to Texas with many bonuses. I was refreshed. Both by being surrounded by friends and having some time away from the daily life with kids. I came back with a new look on parenting, mostly from watching my friend in her daily activities with her kids. And I came home, glad to be in Texas. I absolutely loved living in TN, and for many months I was sad I had to leave so much behind. But as life takes shape in Round Rock, Texas, I can see God can bring good things wherever I go. The trip back to TN opened my eyes that it is not my home anymore, even though it is where my house. I could appreciate my time there, but I knew it was time to head back to Texas. I was glad when that plane touched down on the dry, flat land.

I am looking forward to years of girl’s trips and will call myself blessed to have friends in so many places.