The Mister and I, along with the Irish twins, of course, are off to visit our HME for the weekend. For our purposes here, we’ll say she lives in Chicago.
HME is daughter to Viv and one of my oldest friends. I kept two friends from college. Two. After being a dormmate for several years, HME lived with me a short while during adulthood, we bridesmaided for one another, and she is my most-like-me friend.
“The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.”
Yeah, ya do!
I need people who remember how I was before marriage and parenthood.
We think it’s so thoughtful that HME called to inquire as to whether she’d bought the right soda and coffee creamer — isn’t that so hospitable? — but I was clear in saying that we have every intention of drinking beer while we’re there. Beer. All day beer. All night beer. Alright, maybe all day coffee, water, soda, tea, but definitely all night beer!
And we don’t expect her to buy our beer, no, no. On the contrary, we’ll stop at a brewery on the way, for HME’s husband, the beer aficionado. I know. He’s the only one I know, too.
Our previous tradition was to visit HME and her family over the Labor Day weekend, and then for HME to come to us in the spring, but HME has precious people now, so it’s much easier for us to travel to her. I’d like to think we’ll be able to see one another more often, now that we’re not a thousand miles away, but life..you know…
I’m extremely excited! Not quite pee-my-pants excited, but close!
joeyfullystated 
My friend since second grade just came to visit last weekend from Georgia. We had a wonderful time! Amazing…
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I reconnected with some friends I started kindergarten with through high school. We stay in touch on FB and it’s really neat. Have a glorious time.
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Thank You!
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I just saw one of my oldest friends today. I have known her since I was 9 and she moved to NJ from Brooklyn. She knows me in a way that a lot of my other friends don’t and I am so fortunate to still have her in my life – despite the years, the distance (i lived in VA since 1994) and just… everything. I hope you beer all night. With an amazing friend! Have a wonderful time, Joey.
XO
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Thank You!
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I can’t continue with the meeting of old friends comments here. Sadly all of my old friends have forgotten about me for the most part, and that’s fine. They have their reasons and I’m down with that. Their loss. But I have made some awesome new friends recently, thanks to the interwebs, such as yourself. And I am thankful for that.
I would just like to point out one thing though… I could be considered a beer aficionado. I wouldn’t call myself one, but I do loves the beer. I have quite a collection of beer bottles going on. I do like to try new beers and I save the bottle for uh, some reason. And I can drink quite a bit of it too if given the chance. That’s why I’m 33 and I have a shot liver.
That being said, I do hope you have a great time and enjoy your nights drinking! I’d give anything to be able to drink with some friends all night again. Those were the days. Also, have a safe trip and make it back in one piece so you can share with us your crazy happenings!
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I really had no idea there were other beer aficionados!
Thank You, Matt 🙂
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Oh sure, there are many. Just because you don’t know them doesn’t mean they don’t exist lol.
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“The older you get the more you need the people who knew you when you were young” That’s putting it brilliantly. A beautiful article, very warm 🙂 Thanks for sharing this!
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Thank You!
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