Saying Goodbye to Your Mom BFF

I recently said goodbye to my mom BFF with many a bittersweet farewell as she and her family embarked on a new adventure in Arizona.

I’ve had many good friends in my life, and I cherish them all. The high school BFF. The College BFF squad. The BFF who stood by me when I was coming out. My first BFF when I moved to New Orleans fresh out of college. I’ve stood in many of their weddings, met their babies, and I’m still in touch with most of these people. They hold a special place in my heart, not only because they are wonderful people, but also because they were the people who helped me survive and embrace the many seasons of my life. They have made me who I am today.  

But, of all these friends, none has had more of a profound impact on my life than my mom BFF.  

Emma and I met in Sunday School class (much to the shock and amusement of many people who knew our younger selves!) And, together, we experienced some of the biggest moments of our lives right alongside each other. We got engaged, married, and pregnant …each time within months of each other.  

As the summer of 2017 began, we were both very pregnant and unsure of the sex of our babies. By the end of that summer, we had 3 boys between us (proud twin mom here!). We were both stay at home moms simultaneously smitten beyond belief and unsure about … well, EVERYTHING! And together, we fell in love with our boys. We became best friends. Soul mates. The great platonic loves of each other’s lives.    

We shared clothes and gears and coffee and laughs and tears. So many tears. Happy tears. Sad tears. Tears of worry and panic. And tears of utter and complete wonder at ushering our children through this world together. We’ve shared meals, vacations, and holidays.

We’ve seen each other at our best and our worst and DEFINITELY our most unkempt. We’ve held each other’s kids when they were crying, read books to them, and even been spit up on by them from time to time.  

For the past 2 1/2 years, we have spent almost every day together taking in the wonder and chaos that is motherhood. She has made me a better mom and a stronger woman. She has poured into my marriage with both her shoulder and her encouragement. She has provided my sons with endless love and made them more confident and their lives more full. 

We are all happier and more joyful and our lives are immeasurably better because she and her family have walked this journey alongside us.  

This past week, we saw them off on their new journey to Arizona. We are happy for them. And to be honest, a little heartbroken too. But, as I told Emma and my boys … when our loved ones chase their dreams, it doesn’t make our world smaller. If we are there to cheer them on and share in their new journey, it only makes our world bigger.

I’ve waited 30 years to find my person. To find my true blue best friend. Being in the trenches of motherhood raising your tiny people together bonds you in an unbreakable way.   

Thank you for loving us so well and making the first 2 1/2 years of our parenting journey and our sons’ childhood so darn magical! 

When I moved to New Orleans, I never could have imagined finding a friend as incredible as you. I can’t wait to see all the many blessings and beauty and gifts that Arizona will give to you just as New Orleans blessed me with your family.