Kindred Hearts

We're just days away from saying goodbye to my best friend and her family as they move 3,500 miles away. Her husband is already en route, and our days together are winding down. Obviously, the emotions and heart needs of these days are many and varied. We're simply trying to embrace the miracle of each moment we share together.

She celebrated a birthday recently, but since they were out of town at the time, we weren't able to celebrate it together. I'd recently mentioned to my husband that I would like to take my dear friend out for her birthday lunch soon. His response? "Let me handle the details. I've got it covered."

Now, my husband had never taken responsibility for planning a girls' outing before, and I giggled thinking of the possibilities. And I admit that occasionally I'd check in with him and say, "You sure you want to do this? Do you need my help?" And with a knowing smile, he assured me that we were in good hands. I did, however, bust a gut when he came home one day and reported, "Did you know that such-and-such Tea Room is now a Cement Company?"

Today was the much-anticipated day, and he began letting me in on his secret this morning. As I waited with expectancy to hear what this day would hold, he told me that he was not the only one responsible for this special day. Tears welled in my eyes as he told me that the beautiful day that I was about to spend with my friend was courtesy of another friend; a friend that I've had the pleasure of being with in person only once in my life. We've known each other for 8 years...via the homeschool message board I frequent. She has prayed for me, encouraged me, and supported me countless times throughout the years. She has become a dear and precious friend, despite the many miles that separate us.

Needless to say, she's known about my soul friend's pending move. She's been praying for both of us as we prepare for our "see you later's." And from across the miles, she involved my husband in orchestrating an unforgettable luncheon for my friend and I to share. I'm overwhelmed at the love she poured out on us.

As we arrived at the Tea Room, we found the staff waiting for us and welcoming us by name. "We've been expecting you," they seemed to say. They made us feel so warm and welcome. My husband later told me he'd filled them in on our story. They knew why we were there and the significance of this day for us.


Natural sunlight flooded the tea room as we were shown to our table...a private, quiet setting apart from the rest. The table was beautifully set, and our server explained that the fresh flowers were ours to take with us. The matching teacups at our places, also, were for us to keep. My husband, working with my friend, had arranged everything perfectly.



We dined on quiche, spinach salad, fresh pineapple, and homemade bread. And we sipped the most delicious tea I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. My choice? Ginger Peach. We even threw caution to the wind and enjoyed the most amazing Rum Fairy Cakes. Hers...Lemon Mango. Mine...Chelsea Chai.

Tied up in yellow ribbon were two sets of letters...one for my friend, one for me. As we read the heartfelt letters from both my husband and the friend who had planned this special day for us, we were overwhelmed at God's goodness in showing us His love through so many dear people. Our attention was directed to the yellow "friendship" roses which graced our table...reminders of the close-knit bond God has given us.

Oh, how I'll always treasure this day in my heart and mind. The luncheon was laced with quiet remembrances of laughter and tears. It was a beautiful celebration of the love God has lavished on us; the love that we in turn are able to share with one another.

Our hearts are filled to overflowing...