Dear Friends,
I miss you. How can it be that so much time has gone by since we last got together?
Through thick and thin, you have been there for me. Marriages, divorce, heartbreaks, celebrations, trials and tribulations, you were there for me every step of the way. There would hardly be a week that would go by that we wouldn’t see each other or at least speak over the phone. From girls’ only nights to game nights, and everything in between, you hold the key to many of my smiles and memories over the years.
Nowadays, things are different.
I cannot remember the last time we all got together. I cannot remember the last girls’ only night we had before the guys crashed it, or the last game night held. We try cookouts in the summer, but even those are few and far between. How can it be? A week wouldn’t go by without us hanging out. Now, it has been months (or even years!) since we last saw each other.
I guess that is what happens when you become a mom.
You were all so supportive during the ups and downs of my road to motherhood. The surgeries, the pregnancies, and the miscarriages — you were there. When I made it through my pregnancy with Easton, you threw me the most amazing baby shower. I will never forget it but, I never thought that would be one of our last gatherings together. I guess I naively thought there would be many more.
Yes, we have seen each other here and there, but I have checked out.
Now, my days and weeks are filled with making sure children have what they need day in and day out, laundry is washed, house is clean, writing deadlines are met, dinner is on the table (even if it is to-go), appointments are made, etc. If I get a moment to hang out, it usually translates into spending some time with my DVR and catching up on episodes of the Real Housewives (at the moment, I’m watching the Beverly Hills series).
But, I want you to know that although it has been forever since we last saw each other, I miss you more than you know.
I miss our laughs. I miss our girls’ only nights (which always ended up with the boys showing up, LOL), and I miss our game nights. I miss our talks. I even miss our arguments, which always ended up in some kind of funny story to be reminisced about at another time. I just miss it all. I just miss you.
I know these days with my children will one day come to an end.
I know there will come a time they won’t need me 24/7 and I will have more time to focus on my friendships. When that day arrives, I hope you will still be there like you always have been. Through thick and thin, through ups and downs — I hope we can pick back up where we left off.
I hope you also know that although I am not able to attend gatherings like I used to, I am still here for you – and always will be.
Any time you need me, I am a phone call or text away. I might have physically stepped away, but you are still on my heart and in my mind. I try to keep up with you on social media. Even if I don’t comment on every post or like every photo, I am staying up-to-date on where you are in your life, and I am cheering you on. You will always have a friend in me!
I love and miss you more than you know. Let’s hang out soon!
Love, Elizabeth
Are you missing your friends? Since becoming a mom, do you feel you are losing friends? Motherhood is hard and you definitely need your tribe. How do you find balance between family and friendships?
