Visiting Marie

Last weekend I flew up to New Jersey to visit my very near and dear friend, Marie and her husband, Sean. We have known each other since birth and except for a brief time in college, have always had a "long distance relationship". So it is always so nice to visit with her and reconnect like neither time or space has been between us.

Going to dinner

My first night there, we got a hotel room in Atlantic City and had a girl's night. She has a daughter, Emmalyn, so anytime we mothers can come up with an excuse to have a night with our girlfriends we snatch it up and run with it. However, since becoming mothers, these nights outs have drastically changed in content. Instead of being in the middle of the dance floor, we silently watched in humor at all of the other girls in the middle of the dance floor. Instead of frantically worrying over what fantastic outfit we were going to wear, we just settled on comfy jeans and tank tops. It was without a doubt, one of the funnest nights I have had at a bar in a long time. However, we did have to avert some 'gentlemen callers' that for some reason mistook us sitting at a table at the very back of the deck talking together as an invite to come talk to us. Some things do stay the same.

At the Beach Bar

The next day we enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the water and some light shopping. We went to a huge consignment sale where Marie pretty much bought an entire adorable fall wardrobe for Emmalyn and I bought two jackets for Gavin. Better luck next time.

The next day, Sean escorted Marie, Emmalyn and me around the historic city of Philadelphia. This was absolutely fantastic! I love going to historic places and I had never been to Philly. We saw where the Constitution was signed, where Ben Franklin is burried, the Liberty Bell and so much more. We drank a few frosty beverages in some local pubs and strolled down cobblestone roads. The highlight of the night for me was eating dinner at The City Tavern. It was originally built in the 1770's and welcomed the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. We ate a fantastic dinner and drank beers in the shadows of some very famous pasts!!!

Getting sweet kisses from Emmalyn

One of the old houses on Society Rowe

On the tour boat/bus

In front of Constitution Hall

The Weir's in Philly

On one of the cobblestone alley ways

Outside of The City Tavern

Enjoying cold beverages in pewter glasses

It was a wonderful little getaway and as always, I had a blast with Marie. There is something to be said about a friendship that has endured more moments of long distance than being together. When we were so very young, we always said we would be in each other's weddings. We held up that promise to each other as we got married in the same year, two months apart. We even went on to have our children three months apart. Love it!!!

As much as I enjoyed my vacation, I soarly missed Gavin while I was gone. He was supposed to go with me but due to Marie just getting over the shingles, he was not able to go with me. Being around sweet Emmalyn the whole weekend made me miss him so bad!! Except for when I was running through the terminal in the Charlotte airport like I was being chased by rabid zombies. My flight getting there was late and my flight leaving was right on time. So I was running pretty hard until I heard my name being called over the intercom and then I was really running. People were staring at me as I buzzed by them. I'd like to think they were impressed with my running skills in flats but I am sure it was more because I looked like a drunken gazelle running from a lion. Only then was I glad I did not have Gavin with me. But I sure was glad to see those blue eyes waiting for me when I got home!!