HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US:)

Oh happy day…or rather happy weekend!  Hubby and I (who graduated together) spent 2 days celebrating our 70^th birthday with some of our best high school friends (we were missing a few). Our friend Kaye and her husband Chip (who didn’t graduate with us) hosted us, just as they did for our 60th & 65^th.  (Bless Chip!!!  He puts up with all our craziness and takes us all in stride😊)  They had a beautiful home but just “down-sized” to a gorgeous townhouse with 4 bathrooms (is that really down-sizing???) 

If you’ve read my blog in the past you might recall that I have 8 best friends that graduated with me.  We live all over including 3 different states.  We do our best to get together at least once a year for an “all girls” trip.  However, we include some of our guy friends for our birthday parties.  And when we get together you can be sure to have lots of 3 things….talking, laughing, & eating!!!!  I am so very blessed to call each and every one of them my friend.  

(From our 65th Birthday Celebration)

 It’s really hard for me to believe we have reached this milestone in our lives.  Are we really turning 70 this year????????  Whoever first said “time flies” sure knew what he/she was talking about.  Seems like just a few years back we were walking the halls of our beloved high school, having spend-the-night parties, going to football games, and getting ready for the prom. 

Our group of girls (we call ourselves the VALLEY GIRLS), all basically went our separate ways for almost 40 years.  Then (long story short) we got together for our first girl-trip and it was like we had never been apart.  Since then we have taken trips both in and out of state.  It always takes awhile to plan our trips because trying to get 9 busy ladies on the same schedule is next to impossible.  But God blesses us and we usually find a way! 

(Wearing our Tiaras:) 

If you’d like to read about each of these fabulous ladies in my life, you can go to a blog post from several years ago (here).  I can promise you that if you could get to know them you would love each and every one.  I can also promise you if you went on a trip with us you would have one of the best times of your life.  WE ARE A REALLY FUN BUNCH!!!

(Us trying to convince one of our Valley Guys we would make beautiful bridesmaids:)

Our guy friends are great as well.  One lost his sweet wife a couple years ago & we sure missed her this birthday celebration; one has been divorced for awhile but looks like is about to tie the knot again this summer; two bring their sweet wives who didn’t graduate with us but who fit right in; and my hubby and another hubby were part of our class.  We also have a few "adopted" Valley Guys who "seem" to enjoy our shenanigans:)  You won’t find greater guys anywhere and we are so happy to call them our VALLEY GUYS.

The only problem with one of these get-togethers is…..having to say good-bye.  Each year as we age, I know we are getting closer and closer to the day when we won’t be able to travel and won’t be able to spend this time together.  But for as long as we are able and God is willing, we will find a way to celebrate life together and when we can no longer do that we will have many wonderful memories that we will hold dear to our hearts. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Valley Girls & Guys.  I love each and every one of you and my birthday wish is that we will have many more celebrations together.  Until I see you again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand and may all your birthday wishes come true.

And to my blog readers, my wish for you is that you have good friends like I do because they sure do make life richer and sweeter!

Valley Girls and Cousins:)

In Memory….we lost this “adopted” Valley Girl (married to one of our Valley Guys)  a couple years ago.  Sure do miss this sweet lady.