The 5- hour, 9-hour trip

I just returned from a bachelorette party for my dear friend. It was held at her home, which is about 5 hours from where I live. There were so many things about this weekend that made me realize my age, like that I’ve been married nearly 9 years, I have two children, I’ve known my girlfriend - the bride - for fourteen years (because that’s when we started college, impossibly!), that I’ve had a driver’s license for (OMG) sixteen years (exactly half of my life), and that I can no longer stay out past midnight and be coherent, fun, and awake.

We had such a great time. It was so much fun to be in the company of the friends of my friend. They’re women that I almost felt that I knew through the stories that have been told by my friend to me, and they all commented that they felt the same way. In a sense it was as if old kindred souls were meeting for the first time to celebrate the one thing we have in common - our friend who will be marrying in a few weeks. There were women there from every facet and phase of her life - childhood, school, college, graduate school, working. It was strangely empowering and truly beautiful to be a part of this group.

Tonight I am tired from the drive home - a five-hour trip that took just over nine hours - and from the late night last night. I will go and rest in anticipation of the week ahead (doctor visits, storyhours, laundry, cleaning, playgroup).