For the past several years I’ve been hanging around with three other American girls who lived up here in the Skellefteå area. Despite our coming from different parts of the country and from fairly diverse backgrounds, we’ve forged what I think are strong, meaningful friendships, both with each other individually and as a group. The four of us work really well together, and while we’ve had our tiffs and periods of tension, we managed to remain a fairly cohesive little gang. Until now.
First, it was Helena who left us, first moving down to southern Sweden after New Year’s, then relocating to Ireland early last month. Now it’s Melanie who’s going, moving back to the States after more than four years with us. After next week it will be just me and Debbie left in our American “ladies who lunch” club. I have to admit I’m feeling a little bereft.
It’s a good thing we do have some other friends who join us from time to time, and also that we have six kids between us (good lord, are there really that many?!); otherwise, things would be pretty lonely at our future get-togethers.
Oh wow, i didn’t know that Helena moved! Is Melanie coming back to Texas?
And hey! I’m in town! It’s been REALLY quiet. If I ever manage to get over the constant colds I’ve been having since Christmas I want to get the BF to drive me out to visit. I want to meet your newest family member.
– Sarah
Les — Helena’s move was pretty sudden, all things considered. I’m still not used to her being gone. Melanie is going back to Texas, at least to start out with. I don’t think she has any long-term plans yet.
Sarah — You know I’m counting on you as one of those “other friends who join us from time to time”! I’ve been mostly keeping up with your blog, so I know you’re alternating between busy-ness and sickness. When you’re feeling up to it, let me know — you have an open invitation to come out for fika and baby cuddling!