Oh, there is much to write about the weekend. I have been too busy to organize my mountain of thoughts into a post. I will start now, but this will be edited over the next day or so.
How on earth can I sum up what it meant to meet some of the greatest people I have ever been blessed to meet!? I will try to just outline the weekend highlights for now...
Friday was a tough day, more of a struggle for Matthew, who had to suffer thru 4 hours of painstaking agony at the office before he would be free to pack, pick me up and leave town. I helped him survive the last 30 minutes by chatting online...hehe.
We stopped for lunch and left town by 1:30 Friday afternoon. Traffic was light, considering, and we arrived at Dana and Andy's in Mississauga around 5:30 I think. Nathan, their 3 yr old son, met us at the door. He was sure happy to see Matthew! For a whole week, he'd been telling everyone that MATTHEEEEEEWWWWWWWW was coming down for his party, where they would eat WADDRMELAN. Little did I know in that first moment of meeting Nathan that this kid with wild curly hair and wonderous eyes would attach himself firmly in my heart.
Andy and Dana were so thrilled to see Matthew...I could see it in their greetings. These three really care for each other. Something rare, and oh so special. They welcomed me into their home like an old friend...it didn't take long to feel like I belonged. We spent the first night with them playing The Question Game. Interestingly enough, the game led Matthew and I into a later discussion we never could have predicted...and one that brought us closer.
Saturday was PARTY day! A lazy morning of playing with Nathan kept him outta the way for Dana and Andy to start party preparations. A shopping trip for last minute party requirements also got Matthew and I into a Christian Bookstore at long last! I could have spend the day in there! We each added to our summer-reading pile that morning! After lunch out with Dana's parents, it was home to prep for the party. Admittingly, I ended up napping thru the afternoon while they worked away. I was later pleasantly surprised by an unexpected question from Matthew, which helped me know we were growing more as a couple. He really is a special man!
Party time was approaching, Matthew and I did some last minute pick ups of chairs and ice and stuff, and once things were laid out, we all sat and chatted...the calm before the storm. Party time arrived, and so did twenty-eight adult guests with eleven little ones in tow. People everywhere...and people I didn't know! Matthew was great, stayed with me and introduced me to people he knew. In reality, everyone was really nice and friendly. Since Matthew and I had selected a bench seat close to the food table, we ended up getting a chance to meet everyone there! LOL! Thanks everyone for making me feel so comfortable! Dana was even sure to do little spot checks on me to make sure I was ok in such a crowd! LOL...she really is a sweetheart! Party night died down, and so did my strength...I needed to get away from the crowd and noise. Matthew came to my rescue with a dueling games of Tetris! Oh that was so sweet! I kicked his butt a few times, but he also returned the favor, so it was really interesting! The party night I had been anxious about ended up being rather wonderful. Who would have guessed!
Sunday brought us to Dana and Andy's church. It reminded me so much of Trinity Bible Church, where I attended out in Canmore. The guy that spoke that morning asked the question, "where were you in life two years ago, and what measures did have God to take to get you sitting in this place on this morning?" WOW! God is AWESOME! Another lunch out and I returned home with Andy and Nathan, while Dana stole Matthew for a trip to the grocery store. It didn't take long for Andy to pop the question...I mean the "What are you intensions with our friend?" question. LOL...we had a great chat all the way home.
Sunday was a lazy day, more napping, and playing with Nathan...we even got him dancing to an album I remember dancing around to when I was not much older then he. I actually remembered most of the words! It was really silly and totally memorable!
Nathan and I taught Matthew how to play UNO. No, wait...Matthew and I taught Nathan how to play...and Matthew took some great pics (will post soon). Then I got Nathan playing memory with the UNO cards...it was pretty fun to just play with him, and by this point in the weekend, he was totally at ease with me. What a darling young guy he is...a heartbreaker in the making!
Sunday night is one of my best memories of the weekend. Andy, Dana, Matt and I sat around the livingroom (well, Andy was upstairs most of the evening trying to get a frightened Nathan to sleep; fireworks outside were scaring him). Dana and I did a lot of talking that night, Matthew was rather quiet, listening I am sure, but sleepy too. Sometime after midnight, Matthew went to bed. At 2am, Andy woke up in the livingroom chair and went to bed. And at 3am, Dana and I finally got the notion to go to bed too. We just talked so much, about so many things, it was a time I will treasure.
Monday morning was sad...I didn't want to leave...and I know it is hard for Matthew, Dana & Andy, to say goodbye. We had fun tho, Andy and Dana pulled out some old pics of their time in Sudbury and showed me pics of Matthew from when he was in University, around the age of 18 yrs old. It was cool to see just how far back their friendship went and how much Matthew meant to them. Friends like that are rare...hold on to each other!!! We went to Dana'd parents place for a BBQ lunch, then headed back to pack and sadly say goodbye.
God bless you, Dana, Andy and Nathan! You each have special hearts and I am thankful and blessed that you willingly shared them with me, as well as opening up your home to me. Matthew, I will be forever greatful that you brought me down to meet your best friends, that you wanted to introduce me to that part of your life. Thank you all for sharing with me and making me feel like I belonged! Memories of this weekend will be with me always!
With Love & Prayers! -las
(Oh ya, Matthew got the pleasure of stopping in to meet my Aunt and Uncle on the way home. It was so wonderful to see them, even if only for a couple hours. And it was extra special to introduce Matthew and them. Thank you for letting Matthew and I invade your home and enjoy a meal with you!!!!) I love you!
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