Our friends arrived, after being a little bit lost, and it was as if we'd seen them the day before.  It feels great to catch up and have them out here.  My parents had lots of visits from family and friends, because after their first five years, they lived away from home and moved a few times.  They moved to places people wanted to visit, so that helped as well.  I loved when people came and stayed, and can still remember standing at the front door, teary eyed, as we said goodbye when visitors left.  It was a positive experience for me as a child.  The effort my parents made to keep connected was a great model for me, and I especially appreciate it because my husband did not have that experience.  So he has anxiety around visitors, but still loves having them.

I admire the way our kids have made such a great effort to keep in contact with their friends, and I think my parents made that possible.  It is what you prioritize that shows your values, and friends were always up there at the top in my world.  Mom and Dad, thanks.