Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sending some love to NC......

We did get to visit NC this weekend and were so happy to make it happen! Our little-brother-like friend, Logan Mann, got married recently and was having an open house in Fayetteville, so we decided to make the trip -and got to see some other people we love so much while we were there. It's been a year and a half since we've been there, and once we got there we realized even more how much we miss our NC friends. As soon as we greeted good friends like the Ginn family and the Mann family, Jerry, Deon, Tricia, Dana and Dwayne and their sweet new baby girl, the Leadbetters, Therese, the Prasses, the Newcomers, Chris Anderson, and more.......we just felt so loved and at-home again. Our girls had so much fun playing with so many of their sweet little friends. Bethany still regularly says that she misses her "real friends" in North Carolina. We do love living in WV, don't get me wrong, and it's amazing to have our family nearby. I wouldn't want to change that. There was something, though, about having those wonderful friends near us again, you know - who have strong testimonies and have known us through the births of our daughters, through happy times and difficult struggles. We've seen many of them experience life struggles, loss, growing families, empty nests, testimony builders, and memorable events and because we've shared those times in our lives it feels as if we are eternally connected. I love you all! We feel so blessed to have met so many amazing people over the years and to have learned from each of them. Our faith has grown because of our relationships with each of you.

Those of you who are Manns reading this post......it felt so incredible to be amongst your family after all this time apart. Your home felt like an extension of our home - because you've always made us feel so welcome and loved. It was wonderful to meet Becca and catch up with you, Logan. You have married a sweet, amazing young woman. We can't wait to get to know you even better, Becca. Mel, I wish we'd had even more time to just sit and talk. Someday soon, ok? We missed you, Amber and Vaughn, Cory, Stefani, and Sean and Brit -and all of your kiddos! Can't wait to see each of you again.

*I did take my camera, but forgot to even get it out and take any pics. Oops. : )

8 comments:

Melissa said...

Mandy, it was so great to see your family as well. Although, it did make me sad to see how well our girls play together b/c those types of friends for your kids don't come around everyday. I love you so much and I feel so blessed to have you as my friend.

Amber said...

What a sweet post! I'm so glad that you made it NC. I know how much it meant to my family that you would come from so far. I wish we could have been there to help celebrate and see your family again. Maybe another time.

Thank you and your family for always being so sweet to our family. I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping in touch via blogging!

Rebecca said...

It was great seeing you too. If we are ever up your way, we'll have to stop by!

Deon said...

It was so good seeing you. Has it really been a year and a half? Your girls are so beautiful! Hopefully we'll see each other again soon.

Deana said...

I am glad you made the trip. When we get the house done we will have room for you guys to come and visit for a few days. We enjoyed seeing you all.

Staceroo said...

North Carolina was a special place for our family too. Of all the places we've been stationed, it's the one that's felt most like "home".

erin sheely said...

I am feelings tons of jealousness! I am so glad that you got to go and visit everyone. I miss my Fayetteville friends all the time.

Sherrie said...

We loved having you 'at home' in our home, we miss having your spirit there. It was so amazing that you would drive to far just to be at the open house. Talk about feeling loved! It was almost like you had never left.

Do let Brad know he is not out of a rook show down. Hmm.. too bad we didn't have time to show him who is really the Queen of games!
Love Sherrie