A New Old Friend

First of all, thank you for all of your sweet comments yesterday. I've thankfully moved through the point where I would spend the day crying and feeling sorry for myself, but the thoughts of our first baby are always present in my mind.

Last night continued my path through the land of pregnancy loss and infertility. I had the awesome opportunity to meet an old friend for the first time. Now, I know that sounds strange. How could I meet an old friend for the first time? Well, let me tell you . . .

A couple of years ago - I can't remember if it was after losing baby #1 or baby #2 - I joined an amazing group of ladies on the Nest's Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss board. It was incredible place where I could be safe and express my true feelings because everyone there understood. They were in the depths with me. If you have ever experienced a m/c, you know that really the only people who can truly understand what you are going through are the people who are going through it also.

I made so many friends on that board. Yes, they were internet friends but they were friends. Many still are, and many are becoming IRL friends now too. One woman who has always been on my side encouraging me and loving me through it all is "NoVaIrish." I thankfully got to meet her face-to-face for the first time last night.

It was such a surreal experience. Just as it was the first time I met Katie and Maria, NoVa and I practically ran to each other and just hugged one another for a long time. We talked openly about everything. We already knew one another. We know each other's hearts which speaks volumes. It was awesome. After spending less than five minutes together, it just felt like we had done this many times before. I think at one point we were finishing each other's sentences and saying the same thing at the same time! And, of course, we both have a love for babies and beer (in that order!).

The cherry on top of that awesome friend sundae was that I got to meet NoVa's son as well. I knew him as his mother's dream long before he was conceived. Meeting Baby Michael felt like I was seeing a nephew for the first time. I knew who he was when I saw him, and I couldn't take my eyes off him for the longest time. Just like with Maria's EJ, the babynapping thoughts flooded my brain, but yet again I didn't have a car seat for a quick getaway. haha!

Like his Mommy and Auntie Kekis, Michael likes beer too. ;) Okay, it's just the bottle he likes but he IS teething ya know.

And after a few beers fun night of playing, I took Michael on my own for a while. NoVa was totally cool with me taking her kid with me when I needed to go to the bathroom, getting his diaper changed, and walking around. I decided to see if I still had that magic touch, and got Michael to sleep. I still have it! That's when the self-portraits began.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet an old friend. It's difficult to find other women in your own personal circle of friends who truly know you and what you are going through. Some people don't understand the kind of connection we have, but only because they haven't experienced it before. It's truly like seeing an old friend again - even if you've never seen one another before.