Great times with great friends

About six months ago I was on the phone with Emily, my college roomie and bestie, gabbing on and on about how much we missed each other, our respective crazy lives and common interests, and we started talking about running. Both Em and I had started running-running during the beginning of the year, and were remarking on how awesome it felt to up our distances and how much better we felt physically and emotionally after a good run. So then I threw it out there – Hey, Em. Why don’t you come down to Asheville and run the Half-Marathon with me in September? To which she answered with an enthusiastic, Okay!

So last weekend, after nearly three years since the last time we saw each other, Taylor and I waited anxiously at the airport for Emily and her husband, Mike, to arrive in Asheville. And it was all I could do to not tackle her to the ground the minute I saw her. This woman is my soul sister, and just the sight of her made me get tears in my eyes.

And, of course, she and Mike were pretty excited to meet Taylor. And Taylor was more than happy to show-off for company the whole weekend. In fact, Miss T kept referring to Em and Mike as HER friends, as in, Mom. I wanna go play with MY friends.

And even though the primary reason they came in last weekend was for the Half, a race that both my body and my doctor wouldn’t let me run, we all got up bright and early on Saturday to cheer on Chris and Em as they rocked the grueling 13.1-mile course.

And I am so proud of both of them. Especially my husband, who killed it with an amazing time of 1:59:59 on one of the hilliest half marathon courses in the country.

It was also a super treat to be able to watch an Iowa game with other true – read, OBSESSED – Hawkeye fans. And even though the final score wasn’t in our favor, we all stayed up into the wee-hours of Sunday morning cheering on our Hawkeyes in that emotional rollercoaster of a game.

And after sleeping in a bit on Sunday, we all drove North on the Blue Ridge Parkway to soak in the sunshine and marvel at the views.

And for their final night in town, we opted for a toddler-free night of drinks and dinner at the Grove Park and downtown. Not that having Taylor with isn’t a good time, but sometimes it nice to indulge in places that don’t offer kiddie-meals.

All-in-all, it was an absolutely amazing weekend. And other than it going by way too fast, I was so happy to be able to spend some quality time with my friend. Even though we are so far apart in distance, Emily holds such a special place in my heart and in my life. Thank you so much, Friend. Best weekend ever.