Nostalgia

I wanted to take this time to introduce you to some people. These people are my friends, who I've "blogged" about before on my Missyisms. Eventually, I'll introduce you to all of my friends; so, if you're not on here today, please don't fret or be offended!


Awwww, aren't we a happy group?! So, in the above picture, from left to right we have Ben, Paula, Missy and her arm is around Michelle, behind them is Dave and then there is Robin, Josh and Jennifer.

This picture is missing some important people. We clean up nicely, too, notice below:

The lady in the black dress is Melissa, the bald dude (haha, lol) behind her is Joe, the gentleman in the hat is Jason, next to him is Andy and the man in the very back, that's Adrian.

There, now we have everyone. And, because I'm feeling funny today, I have to include this picture, my favorite picture of Joe.

Isn't he cute! Lol!

Some of my friends and I surmise that "friends" does not justly describe our relationships. Family is a much more accurate description. We're a very, very close group who I love deeply. My life would have a void bigger than a black hole if they were not in it. Some of us see each other on a weekly basis (for lunch, dinner, or just to hang out with each other... and maybe drink...drink beverages of the alcoholic kind...OH! For Shame!) Some of us see each other on a monthly basis and because some of us (not me) decided that they needed to RELOCATE (GRRR!), we see each other on, hopefully, at least, a yearly basis!

We have traditions, just like families. We have an annual Superbowl and Halloween party and we have B-day celebrations. We have a "Group Christmas Dinner" every year where we temporarily act like adults and have a nice dinner (complete with a turkey, mashed potatoes [courtesy of Missy], and other good food) around a nicely set table. We draw each other's names and do a gift exchange. We take lil' vacations together. We're all hams and take lots of pictures of our good times and no one ever gets grumpy about stopping for a picture, lol!

It's cool how this group of non-blood relatives makes it a point each and every year to carry out these traditions!

I'm a lucky, lucky gal! I think people are blessed if they have the type of family where they can be themselves. I have that. I have a wonderful family. I also have a wonderful group of friends, who knows me better than I know myself sometimes, who I can always be myself around and never feel badly for (if you haven't picked up on this by now, I can be sensitive...and quirky) because I, and all of us, are accepted. Accepted for who we are. Simple as that. End of story.

Wouldn't it be great if every body (well, except for evil-doers) could simply be accepted for who they are?