Living with 6 ladies is not always easy and we didn't always get along. But we loved eachother and became totally intertwined in the lives of one another. We became a weird, little family unit. Sisters. Fiercely loyal to one another. We might complain about eachother, but god help you if you were an outsider and did! We did not tolerate that at all!
We cried together, helped eachother through navigating growing up and becoming independent from our families. We laughed all the time. I mean, ALL the time.
We lived there for two years. We had more fun than I am 100% sure any of us can remember! Then a few ladies graduated, so it was time to move on and get real jobs for some and finish classes for others. Time living at 504 Abbott was coming to an end. It was the end of a chapter.
During the first few years after college, many of us remained in a close-ish area, so we could get together regularly and have fun (our specialty!).
As everyone knows time goes by and people move away, get married, get busy with a job, have adventures and the length of time between visits gets bigger and bigger. It's life. It's not bad. It's just what it is. As with anything, you cherish the past but you move on with your future.
I am lucky enough to have had a job that takes me close to many of the ladies, so have been able to visit with them in pieces and see them in their new lives. It is so fun to meet their little people, hang out with their other halves, and just enjoy their company. Each time I am so pleased to discover that no matter how much time has passed between visits or conversations, we can just pick up where we left off. Like no time has passed at all. I believe it is the sign of a true friendship when you can do that.
Well, this weekend, one of the 504 Girls got married. She is one of the last to get married (me being the very last to not be married actually!). She is that rare person who will always count you as a dear friend, no matter how long it has been since she last spoke to/saw you. So, all the 504 Girls (and the bonus extras) were invited and most everyone was able to attend. Her wedding provided a super fun reason to get together. The wedding was lovely. The bride was gorgeous (she literally looked like a prettier version of Barbie). But the best part was being able to catch up all together. The wedding wasn't huge, so we were able to sit and visit and laugh and have a few cocktails (of course!).
As the night went on, all I kept thinking was what wonderful grown-ups these ladies have become. They are still the same people I knew and loved on the inside, but have continued to grow and flourish and become a better version of the selves I knew when we were young. Some have become mature, sophicated urban women. Many have become the mothers and wives they always wanted to be. But mainly I noted just how happy we all were. It was incredible. I mean, I know people hide the bad, but they all seemed so geniuinely happy with life. When talking about aspects of each of their lives, their eyes twinkled. (and no it was not the alcohol...it was a happy twinkle!)
It's been ten years since I left college (eeks!). It's been 11 years since we moved out of that infamous house. But there are still ties that bind us. No matter who else will reside at that house, our little group will always be known as the 504 Girls.
I am lucky to have had such incredible friends to help me grow up. And even luckier to still know them and love them.
Thanks, D for having a beautiful reason for all of us to get together. Oh, and congratulations on your marriage!
Ladies-- let's not make it so long before the next reunion, okay?
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| 504 Girls- Then (pictured L-R: Joanne, Yaara, Erika, Nikki, Jessica, Sara, Brooke & Megan) |
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| 504 Girls- Now (pictured upper L & around to lower L: Dasha, Allison, Joanne, Erika, Nikki, Megan, Sara, & Jessica) |
(Note: I could not locate a photo with the exact same ladies...the "then" photo is the one I found with most of the same peeps....sorry you're missing, D & A)
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