Every morning when I sit down with my coffee and Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl toast, I'm transported back to the front porch of this quaint Victorian house in Weston, Missouri...
Suddenly, it's not 5 am in my quiet, chilly kitchen, but midmorning on a sunshine-filled day in spring - still a little chilly, though, because it's Missouri, and the sun doesn't reach me where I sit with Ann K., enjoying our breakfast (Cinnamon Swirl toast and coffee, of course!) and reminiscing about high school and who knows what else we talked about during those days in 1995 when I was lucky enough to stay with her. Our friend, Ann L., was getting married that weekend on a hillside next to an old farmhouse at sunset. I overcame my fear of flying and missed Daniel's kindergarten play to be there. I HAD to be there.
The wedding was wonderful, but staying with Ann K. was definitely a highlight. She and her husband Bob had renovated the old house (that used to be a dream of mine, but I'm WAY over it after building this one!) and Ann had decorated it beautifully with antiques and artwork. Here's a picture of us in Ann K.'s house, toasting Ann L.'s upcoming wedding in 1995 (left to right, Rhonda from Phoenix, Ann L., Ann K., pregnant with baby #3, and me.)
When Tom and I were in the middle of our own building project, Ann K. sent me lots of encouraging emails, helping me believe that there really would be an end to the building frustration and madness someday, and that one day I'd even look back on the experience and laugh...about parts of it, at least.
We were friends in high school, but grew closer in the years after graduation, like so many others. I can't remember the last time I saw her, though - it's been WAY too long. She's a gypsy - she and Bob left Weston and have bounced between Texas and Colorado for several years, with a stop in Hawaii stuck in there somewhere. Right now she's in Glenwood Springs, Colorado - the proud owner of a little shop (go here to read all about it and see pictures in my other Ann's blog. She spent a few days there helping Ann get it ready to open for the first time.)
She turned 50 this week - she reported back that it was a wonderful birthday - she and Bob escaped to a hotel in Denver. I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for the next 50 years - no doubt about it...they will be filled with art and adventure. Happy birthday, Annie!
