December 2

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, Valerie's cookie exchange made a triumphant return this evening. 

It was different than previous parties; this one took place under canopies in her backyard, and despite the chilly evening temp, a quartet of heat lamps kept us plenty warm as we nibbled on appetizers and salad and green beans with almonds and brussels sprouts and two kinds of paella. And then desserts -- not just one but three different ones, all equally sumptuous. And we sipped beverages from our personalized cups, which Valerie painstakingly emblazoned with our first names. And, of course, we talked and laughed and took goofy photos and caught up on the who's and what's of our children's lives.

I've known most of these ladies for years now. At one point or another, all of our kids went to the same elementary school. A subgroup of us have 18-year olds who we've watched grow from kindergarteners to middle schoolers to high schoolers to college freshmen (many of whom, as peculiar as it seems, are currently situated in various midwestern locations). So I guess, in a way, we've all kind of grown up together as moms, too.

It's true that I don't see many of these amazing women very often, but I always, always love touching base with them at this gathering. So for another amazing party and for how Valerie makes all of us feel loved and seen with her laser-focused attention to detail, I am so thankful.