Thankful for Friends

There's a bittersweet feeling that comes along with moving across the country from everyone that I know and love.

On the one hand, I'm getting to visit new places and see different parts of the world (sort of), encountering all sorts of architecture and geology and getting a feel for several different types of cities.

But on the other hand, the people I love (note the use of bold, italic AND underline for that) aren't here to share it with me! Of course I've got David and I am creeping (seriously, inching) into the land of possibly making new friends - but nothing compares to being with the people I've known for years and years (or, in some cases, my entire life - LEWKINATYEWMALLORYYYYY!!!).  Inside jokes, familiar/familial banter, a shared ridiculous vocabulary (no one in Vancouver knows what a "jobro" is), an understanding of UMass or Pittsfield references... those are all just some of the things that did not come with me to the West Coast.

In the last few months, though, I've been receiving random bits in the mail from my friends back east. A postcard here, a note there... no matter what, it makes me really, really happy. Probably way happier than the sender ever anticipated. It's like getting a little piece of home in the mail, and I'm very thankful for it.

The other day I went to the post office because I'd received a "parcel pickup" notification in my mailbox the day before. I went to the P.O., completely expecting to be picking up an envelope of 401k stuff I've been awaiting from my employer.... and instead I was handed a package from my friend Kara!!

The contents? A UMass tshirt, a pound of Dunkin Donuts coffee and a lovely note!

.  very, very good things .

In September, in the weeks leading up to our move from Portland, OR to Canada, I received this card from my friend Kimmy, also with a lovely note inside:

Fun fact: Kim purchased this card from a market in Portland, OR when she lived there. She moved back to Massachusetts mere months before I moved to Portland! Even funner fact: This card arrived in Portland while I was in Massachusetts surprising my friends at a post-Labor Day party (or should I say THE Post Labor Day party). Friend surprises abound!

I also received in September a really nice "Thank You" note from my friend Jenna, who had asked me to be a bridesmaid in her 2013 wedding a few weeks prior. I was already feeling loved for having been asked to be in the bridal party - the thank you note made me feel even more so. Love her!

In mid-October thissss awesome card arrived in my mailbox from my friend Stephanie, who is always known for putting a special, creative twist on things. Inside was a note saying congrats on our big move and new place. I LOVE the actual printed words on/in the card too - that rarely happens with a store bought card!!

.  "in my imaginary neighborhood you live right next door" . 

And of course just to dirty things up a bit, my dear friend Sarah sent me this gem of a postcard in mid-September:

.  Hotel d'Amour and also d'Huge Penis Handrails . 

Chronologically, I should have started with September and ended with Kara's November birthday package, but wasn't the above a more fun "package" to end with?

So since today is Thanksgiving, I'm reflecting on how thankful I am to have such thoughtful friends. It means more to me than you know to receive these little pieces of home in the mail, and it inspires me to put pen to "paper/card/penis postcard" more often and pay it forward.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

When this blog actually goes live, Dave and I will be in Portland, celebrating Thanksgiving with our friends there. This will, I suppose, be the first holiday season ever that I don't go home at all to Massachusetts - #grownupthings. While that does mean I won't get to celebrate with my friends and family back home, it also means that I get to celebrate with David and we can have our own holiday season. He doesn't know it yet but I will begin my search for our Christmas tree as soon as we get home from Portland. Also, Christmas lights and vanilla scented candles a-go-go! Whoop!