no woman is an island

I just came home from a week in Dallas. It was my first time going back since we moved a year and a half ago.
We lived there for 5 years.  When we arrived, we were about 2 weeks old in the marriage department.  2 months off of college graduation.  Wide-eyed.  Totally in love.  Scared/excited.  Unemployed.

It was all very romantic.

Here I am in my home in Kansas City now, as my husband and I sit in comfortable silence on our separate devices on the couch.  Still in love. The kind I have grown to appreciate even more than the new stuff, since we've weathered storms together and made it through.  {coincidentally, also the kind of love where you pee with the door open} We are now parents, and employed.  It's all quite different.  And beautiful.

Back to Dallas.

I stayed with a friend who I met 1 week after giving birth to my first.  We are forever bonded because we met in a time when we were both grasping for anything to hold on to that felt normal after having our worlds rocked by our 7 lb humans.  She is gracious and real and an amazing mom who challenges me to love my kids like Jesus would.  I also saw a friend who loves refugees with everything she has and has a heart more beautiful than she is--and that's saying something.  Another friend stopped by who has 4 children ages 6 and under, and is the picture of grace and peace in this crazy world of motherhood.  Nothing seems to shake her.  Another friend I caught up with is mom to 1 and expecting another, and has the driest and best sense of humor you'll ever experience.  Her intrigue and attentiveness to her little guy is a beautiful thing to behold.  Another girl I saw shared difficulties with her little guy that challenged and, I'll be honest, encouraged me, as I am going through the same struggles with mine.  Her honesty was like a breath of fresh air.  I also saw the girls I met regularly with after our first babies {some might call it playgroup, but I'll refrain so as not to allow my sister the satisfaction of a good laugh} who are all on round 2 of kids now.  I love seeing how we've all gone from insecure and terrified to somewhat confident in the role of "Mom".  We are all different, but learned to appreciate that instead of compare and tear one another down.  I love that about those girls.

On my way home, I had some time to reflect {8 hour drives will do that to you}, and I was just so grateful to have had a week to be surrounded by such different but beautiful women.  Waking up at the crack of dawn with Alina {because, duh, that's what time kids get up} and looking at eachother like, "This day is already starting??".  Breaking up fights between our kids for the millionth time and laughing about it instead of screaming.  Seeing all of these moms do the work mothers do and knowing that every day, hundreds of miles away, they will be doing just what I am doing.  Picking boogers.  Waking up in the middle of the night.  Trying to survive until 5 {or 6. or 7.} when Daddy will walk through the door.

As if we didn't already know it, I realized that this life is not meant to be lived in isolation.  Should we all live in communes? Maybe.  Sister wives? Probably not.  Getting in each other's space even if it's not easy because we know it will encourage and renew us?  Abso-freaking-lutely.  Even the introverts of the world--I know you're reading this! You too.  God made us for relationship.  As a mom, I have found that it can be strangely lonely--I literally can't pee alone--to be home with children.  I need the conversation, commiseration, and encouragement to seek Jesus in the day to day. Dallas girls, I love y'all! Thanks for a great week and renewing this girl's spirit just when she needed it!