Friends . . . .

The last year for me and the group of friends I hang around with has been really eventful. Many of us have gotten married in the last year, and more are getting married this year. It's been a time of great celebration as we start our new lives with our spouses and start talking about our futures, with and/or without families. As you grow older with a group of friends you begin to think about all the experiences you'll get to share with them as you age, and relish the good times you had together over the lifetime of your friendship. But, as with all good things in life, change is inevitable; friends move off to other places to start their new lives there, and the quality time you've gotten to experience together is diminished.

My wife and I got to spend the evening last night with a couple who are good friends of ours who are moving out West next week. They've been married just over a year and are looking to start a family, and there's extended family and friends out West who can be a good support group for them when this happens. They've both managed to find good jobs where they're going and have bought a nice house close to their friends, family, and jobs. It's a very good situation for them, and we're extremely happy for them. But their parting, like that of others, is bittersweet. We'll miss them when they're gone, and the good times and good wine we shared together.

Fortunately, all is not lost. These friends are moving to a great place to visit and to an area where we've already got plans to go early next year. Airfare between our cities is generally well priced and weekend web fares will make short notice visits possible. We've already got another set of shared friends who moved out West 2 years ago so group visits will be fun times indeed. Thus it's with mixed emotions that I say good bye (temporarily) to our friends and wish them the best of luck in their new lives together in one of the most wonderful cities in the world. Have a good time and we'll see you soon.