The Lucky One

I`m doing what I always do after a visitor comes to town...

Doing my best to postpone writing about it, thinking without the trip documented it`s somehow not over yet. This is one trip I truly wish wasn`t over. This is a trip that could go on and on forever and I would be perfectly happy with it. But, alas, Arlee had to return to her life and routine, leaving me feeling nothing but lucky to have had her here. You see, she is not only my very best friend, but over the years has become even more. More like a sister. To me, she is a part of my family.

Arlee visited Nova Scotia during our first year here. We traveled the province for the first time together, and marveled at the beautiful scenery. One of the things Arlee loved so much about the Maratimes was the slower pace and natural lifestyle. I have to agree with her, it is very refreshing. She always promised after that first, once and a life time trip, that we would do it again... and since then we both very much looked forward to `second in a life time` to come knocking.

Sure enough, true to Arlee style, she kept her promise. Nova Scotia becconed her once again, and we recieved her with our utmost happiness and joy!

Sometimes, one of the greatest opportunities we have in this life, is the ability to escape it. Nova Scotia is the perfect place on the map to escape if you ask me, and having each other`s company was a perfect little escape from life for both of us.

I have been blessed with terrific friends throughout my life, but non compares to my friendship with Arlee. If you know her at all it would be plain to see why she is my BEST friend, and it would also be obvious that I am, most definitely, THE LUCKY ONE in our friendship.

Since the day we met over 10 years ago she consistently leaves me feeling so lucky and blessed to know her and have her in my life. That is one feeling that has never changed.

This trip was full of celerations... 10 years of being BFF`s and 2nd chances of a lifetime!!

And, the truth is, we just had way too much dang FUN!! :)

Her trip began with two little kids who could hardly wait to see her.

She didn't waste any time until she was spoiling them with her goodness. Miley was so thrilled to have her toes done like Auntie Arlee! You wouldn't know it from the pictures, but Arlee had already had quite the journey just trying to get out here... before her time with us in NS even began. She had already been through one layover, and was on her second in New York when the flight asked for volunteers to stay behind...Which for Arlee meant a night alone in NYC. But, who was at the counter first to volunteer?  It should come as no surprise that it was her. She's probably one of the most thoughtful people I know. I marveled at her arriving a day after schedule to let others go first. Would I have done the same?? Selfishly, probably no! There are clearly lots of reasons why I need this girl in my life!! :)

After the toe nail pampering, we spent her first night catching up. We visited till late in the morning listening to the rain outside, and remarking countless times on how fun it was to just be together!!

Ever wondering where Arlee is? You will find her playing with the kids somewhere, happily appeasing their ever desire, and kindly reading them books. One of the mornings she was here we had a traditional golf tournament breakfast to attend. Arlee not only knew no one there, but she was the one found reading to, and talking with the kids... even the ones she didn't know. Seriously, she stopped me in my tracks so many times, thinking " WOW. This girl is just Amazing. " She makes any person she is near feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Helene stopped by one morning creating one of my favorite memories of all time... seeing two of my dearest  friends side by side.  I love it when my two worlds come together. Ar also got to have a night out with a mutual friend of ours named Josh. Josh sure is a great guy, but I think Dooey was the only boy to steal her heart this trip. ;) Josh was surprised I let Arlee go for a night... I told him I was just sharing.  I'd share this girl with everyone if I could... Everyone could benefit from a little Arlee Jo in their life!

For the majority of Arlee's trip we concentrated on getting a little R&R. When the weather was nice we'd go for walks, and when it rained we'd curl up to a movie. We shared all of our favorite things about life and living, and made sure to pamper ourselves from head to toe!

Ar was always so sweet with these kids. 

And they adored and loved her in return! 

No trip would be complete without a visit (or two) to bulk barn. To this day, I can't walk in there without wishing Arlee was with me. I need give her no explanation, and she understands completely why it is the greatest store Canada has to offer. ;)

I am sure Justin had no clue what us girls were up to half the time. Between our late-night heart to hearts, candy runs, and beauty rituals... But if he guessed we were having the time of our lives he would be absolutely right. He sure was patient with us up-half-the-night-laugh-yourself-to-tears girls.

We had way too much fun. ---And it didn't hurt a bit. ;)....

Ar wanted to make sure we saw the Halifax Waterfront again while she was here, and so that we did!  We devoted an entire day to cruising the warf, and were lucky to have great weather.

We walked from one end to the other stopping and admiring along the way. We ate lunch along the water underneath warm and gorgeous sunshine. 

We topped off this day with delicious cow's ice cream, and then headed to the parking garage to find our car. The kids hadn't napped, and were getting cranky by this time to say the least. The next part of the story illustrates so perfectly why Arlee is simply the best in the world, and why I could always use a little more of her in my day to day... 

So, we end up getting lost. Super lost, in the parking garage. We're searching high and low for our car and can only swear it was here... no there... or maybe up one more.... or down two??? I'm trying to squeeze the giant double stroller through doors and onto elevators- all the while the kids are losing it, and so am I. 

There comes a scene like this: Scotlin has probably kicked Miley in the head 10 times, Arlee is trying to  hold the door open for me, people start crowding all around us and can't get by... one coming up the stair well, one wanting to go down, others coming off the elevator, and everyone is stuck because I can't get through, and I'm yelling at my kids to sit down and stop fighting!!! 

Next thing I know Scotlin dives for the pavement headfirst, and Arlee, with a claw-like reaction, reaches down and lifts him up by the leg. Everyone around us is looking at me like I have totally lost control and I am the biggest joke in Halifax, and this is when Arlee just looks around, throws her hands up and with a big smile on her face, says "I'm sorry, but I can only laugh at this point!" And so she did... and I joined right in. So grateful she would diffuse the situation with her lightheartedness and laughter. Just what I needed, and always need when I am taking things too seriously. 

Once we found the car the kids were still acting like this... That hadn't changed. But, thanks to Arlee, my attitude had. We were still laughing- in a situation I normally would not have been. 

Lucky for me there are too many more memories like these to count. I hated the thought of Arlee's stay coming to an end, but knew I could only be this lucky for so long. I felt grateful for every minute I got to have her here in our home. SO SO SO very grateful to her for coming all this way to spend time with me and my family. I needed her more than she needed to be here with me. I can't imagine a time when that won't be the case. It was the saddest day driving her to the airport, and having to say goodbye. :( 

We ALL missed having Arlee around! She brings such a presence and light with her, it was no wonder we wished she would never leave! I was left with such a feeling of gratitude for our friendship, and marveled at the way we have remained true friends through all these years. This friendship literally goes the distance. I couldn't be more grateful for Arlee in my life, and for this wonderful stay in which we had the chance to add to our treasure trove of memories together. 

My words will never be sufficient to describe how lucky she makes me feel to know her, and what a honor it is to have her in my life as my very best friend. Thank you Arlee for it all. For always being there for me, no matter where I am, and for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You are the best friend a girl could ever ask for. 

Cheers to 2nd chances of a lifetime, and 10 years of being Best Friends Forever! :)