Circle Up

A few months ago, one of my ol college pals sent an email to my gal pal group, "My husband just told me I need to take a vacation."

Really, I didn't need this "break" but I need to be surrounded by these women. They challenge me, reassure me, and they feed me. Each of us comes from ridiculously different background and lifestyles. There are a few things we do when we get together:
1. Talk about our feelings
2. Eat
3. Exchange trinkets & gifts
4. Circle Up

The last of the list probably doesn't seem like it to me, but it's the most special to me. Even moreso than Eat. T When we circle up, it's like a huddle, and we pray. What Mom On the Rocks? You better believe it. Even in prayer, sometimes, I get a little distracted, and so, one time, I might have opened my eyes. Apparently, there's a reason why people close their eyes in prayer, to keep focus. But this time, I opened my eyes, and looked down and saw our feet. And it moved me.

I love the feet. You can't tell which feet belong to which lady. Almost always, we're all in flip flops, exposed, but minimally protected.

It turns out however, I needed this trip indeed. I need to see these girls. We have some celebrating to do as one of our gals had a baby yesterday. I guess she's going to use that as an excuse to not come to our double-secret meeting. The nerve. Still, we'll celebrate Baby Reed. Congratulations Courten and Super Jay on a beautiful healthy baby boy and your absolutely delightful family!

Each of these women inspire me between visits, and they make my heart smile to just be around them. All of them, every single one, are strong women with absolutely incredible stories. It's an honor to circle up with these women. To catch up with them, and see how we've changed in just a couple of year's time. And I'm fairly certain, aside from my family, these women keep me solid in my faith and sane in my mommyness.

Until we meet again, we'll email, text and call each other and simply ask when we need it, "Circle Up" for me. It's a simple powerful request.

So, I thought I didn't need this trip. I didn't need the vacation, but I did need to be near my ladies. It turns out, just being around these ladies is exactly what I needed. Just when you think you're going to help out a friend, you get helped.

That's how I roll.