When I realized I'd have to leave so many people that I love in Indiana, my counselor suggested that I go back and visit sometime this year. Also, my beloved MOPS 2020 group decided we should all get together for a lake getaway so it seemed like the perfect time to go back. I traveled there from March 30-April 3. Even though Curtis and I were like "ships in the night" because of our travel schedules, I was grateful he was willing to watch the kids and let me go.
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These ladies were such a lifeline during the pandemic. They were some of the only people I would meet with in person and share a meal together. We became such an intimate group! Even after our MOPS group was dispersed in the next MOPs year, we were determined to stay connected. During our lake getaway, we had a lovely time catching up, sharing the blessings/challenges that each of us were going through, serving each other meals, and just enjoying the beautiful scenery at Mary Ann's lake house. It was precious time with dear friends!!
I also squeaked in some time with some of my closest friends from the Lafayette area before and after the lake getaway! I spent the night with Hannah and enjoyed a fun morning catching up with her. She and I go way back to our church youth group in Florida and we both ended up in the same town in Indiana! It was such a blessing to see her familiar face when we first moved there. I can't believe how big her kids had gotten in the few months since I moved. We've had a lot of life lived together and it's sad not live near her and her family.
I also spent time with Sarah, my closest friend that I met through BSF. We both know what it's like to do life in the ministry as her husband is also a pastor. She went around town with me and helped me get all the items that I haven't been able to get in Florida!! We found my favorite lime flavored tortilla chips at Meijer, I bought our favorite locally made chocolate, and I even replaced Anna's eyeglass frames. We had lunch at McAlister's (one of thew few restaurants that Jacksonville doesn't have), and leisurely talked in the afternoon about life before I went to the lake getaway.
After the lake getaway (mentioned first in this post), I was able to spend time with Amy! We met at a park in 2015 when I was having a playdate with a play group that I organized during my time in Indiana. She and I really got closer through our daughters' friendship and also through the pandemic when we started walking/biking. Amy and I ate some delicious food at Ripple and Company (one of my faves) and got my Vanilla Mint Pu-erh tea latte that I can only get at Greyhouse!
We have spent many Saturdays walking and biking the backroads of West Lafayette and we got to do it again on this particular Saturday! I was surprised that I didn't mind the cold weather! Here I am standing in front of our old house. It was really surreal. I just kept thinking that Curtis and the kids were inside like they usually are when Amy and I go exploring.
I can't visit the area without having some international food. I had a really nice meal at Kimchi with Magda. We have been friends ever since the day I moved to Indiana in 2013! We had several fun things that connected us - from our first car ('97 Geo Prizm) to our first children (Anna & Hannah, both born in 2013). We also ate at Culver's so that we could extend our time before it was up.
Lastly, I spent the night with Alicia! She became an unexpected friend through Drew's speech therapy in 2020. Alicia has introduced me to several board games and I ended up buying rollerblades and blading around town with her! We made sure to take one lap around Lindberg Village's pond while we were together (pictured below). We pretty much have fun together in whatever we do - even weighing my suitcase to make sure I didn't go over the weight limit! She was gracious enough to take me back to the airport.
I came back feeling satisfied and encouraged. I prayed and asked God to provide a community for me in West Lafayette and I'm encouraged to see how my prayer was answered. I'm confident He'll do the same here in Jacksonville too. It just takes time!
