"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Last year, not sure if you recall this, but I had to say, "goodbye" to several friends.  SEV-ER-AL!  It seemed like for awhile, all I was doing was saying, "Goodbye" and stocking-up on Puffs Plus w/Lotion.  I'm normally a plain-Jane Puffs and/or Kleenex kind of girl.  I do pamper my nose when I have a cold or when I am going to be crying.  I bought several boxes of Puffs w/Lotion last year.  There were just too many goodbyes.  On a positive note, I am sure the Puffs' stocks went up considerably!!!

One of the friends that I bid farewell to was my friend Leah.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  We met at Meg's.  We ordered and then had the coffee girl snap a smiling picture of us.  I have learned that it's never a good idea to take the picture as the time to part draws near.  Remember this, blog-stalker. 

We sat at Meg's near the window and shared our hearts.  It was such a sweet time.

Since bidding Leah farewell a mere 9-ish months ago, I have been sad every time I drove past our Meg's {the one on Perryville Road near the flag park where I, one time, left my car windows down and my purse in the backseat while Leah and I went for a gazillion mile hike - thank the Lord that no one broke into my car.  Well, they wouldn't have had to break-in because the windows were down and the doors were unlocked!} because I think to myself, Oh, it's Meg's.  That is where I said, "Goodbye" to Leah.  I don't cry or anything...I just get this sense of moroseness.  The truth is I miss Leah.  We could meet up for coffee and talk for hours...  Many a-times, the Meg's staff would tell us, "We are closing in 5 minutes."  During our coffee dates, we would laugh and sometimes cry...and always, always, always be real.  With Leah, there is not this facade that everything is under control and never ever when inquired about my day would I say, "It's fine."  She wanted to know how my day unfolded and what happened...and me likewise about her day. 

I've been given this wonderful gift of friendship with some very special gals.  And even though several of them have relocated, I know that I can call/text/write/email them and they will be there because that's what friendship is about.  Friendship changes...it deepens.  Sometimes it fades.  Sometimes it drifts away only to return. 

Ok - back to this "What are you doing here?" inquiry. 

Wednesday night, Lauren texted me and asked if I could have coffee on Thursday night in lieu of going to the gym.  Coffee always trumps the gym.  Just sayin'...  :)  The answer, "OF COURSE!"  We decided to meet at 5 at Meg's on Perryville (or as I called it, "The Meg's where I said 'goodbye' to Leah" inside my head). 

I arrived a few minutes early.  Shocking, I know.  :) 

I meandered about the seating area.  (The thing I love about this Meg's location is they have added more seating...and there are booths, tables with chairs, and comfy stuffed chairs.)  I opted for a comfy stuffed chair and waited. 

A couple minutes after 5, Lauren and Ruthie walked in.  Lauren was carrying a camera and when I inquired about the camera, she said it was so we could send Leah a picture of her mom and me so Leah would see that her mom was doing ok.  (LIES!!!)  I was smiling at the camera and wondering - why in the world isn't Lauren taking the picture when I looked over to my left and there stood IN THE FLESH Leah!!!!!!  I remember screaming, asking "What?  Why are you here?" and then there were hugs and tears....oh so many tears. 

Just the day before this reunion, I had posted on Leah's Facebook wall a quick note about missing her and our ridiculous chats and her encouraging words.  I "hear" her voice telling me to wear horizontal striped shirts and wear shorts to the gym because it's summer.  {We have more meaningful, heartfelt chats but those funny ones are the ones that I "hear" when I am wondering what to wear to work and what gym clothes to pack for the day.}

After a quick explanation of how the Lord worked out the paperwork and the flights, we ordered our coffees and sat down and did the one thing that we've wanted to do since August.  We had coffee...and we laughed...and chatted...and were completely RIDICULOUS until the Meg's employee came around and said they would be closing shortly. 

From Meg's, we went to Target. 

 

I drove separately and met them at Target on 173.  On the drive there, I listened to the song, "God Will Make A Way."  As I contemplated the lyrics, I was humbled at God's goodness to allow Joey and Leah to come home for a 5 week vacation.  He knew how much they were missing home and how much "home" was missing them.  What a wonderful, loving Heavenly Father.

 

From Target, we went out to supper at Chipotle.

 

BEST THURSDAY

NIGHT EVER!!!