We met Steven and Anita May, back in 2007 or 2008 when Steven and Brad were both working for Northwestern. They lived in Las Cruces at the time and our friendship really solidified when we took a Northwestern trip together to Puerto Rico in 2008. From that time forward, any time they came to Albuquerque, they would stay in our home and we enjoyed being together so much. As a side note, they happened to be staying at our home for the weekend on the night that Eden was born. They brought us the stuff we needed to the hospital because Brad and I were so unprepared. They also visited us a couple times while Eden was in the NICU. They cared, and I knew it and felt it.
In 2012, they moved to Albuquerque and I was so excited that they were so close to us, in our ward, and just a 2 minute drive from our house. Anita and I are like "friend soul mates" (if there is such a thing). We just click and have such an incredible friendship. I was thrilled that we could now be together for more than just an occasional weekend. At the time that they moved here, Bentley and Abby were babies, and Makayla and Eden were 3. We started spending so much time together, and over the years, our families both grew and we continued to raise our kids together. Eden and Makayla are a month apart - Bentley and Abby are a month apart - and Olive and Isabel are just under two months apart. It was so fun to be connected to someone who's life was in such a similar phase as mine.
Lilly and Makayla were such good friends for Eden. She used to have such extreme social anxieties and they helped her so much by loving her and teaching her what it was like to be a friend, and to have friends. They always just loved her and accepted her for exactly who she was. They were there for us through a lot of Eden's medical stuff as well, and we appreciated their support so much. Those girls were tremendous blessings to us in helping Eden to progress socially and gain confidence.
Bentley and Abby were like two peas in a pond. From the time they were tiny and babbling baby talk to each other, they have had the sweetest bond. They loved each other like siblings, but hardly ever fought. I'm sure in their minds, they must feel like family because they have always just been together. They were so adorable together, but could also cause some mischief if not watched properly!! :)
Olive and Isabel were just getting to a fun stage of seeing their friendship really start to take off now that they can communicate better with each other. Those girls were the cutest. Olive would take Isabel by the hand and they would run around together.
Of course, it was devastating news when we found out that Steven's job was taking them to Utah. It was the best move for their family, but it was rough to accept! I've never had such a close friend move away before. It's been harder than I thought it would be to cope with it. I know Anita has struggled with the move, so anytime we talk, I try to remain positive and encouraging to her, but really I just want to complain about how horrible it is that they moved! I miss her terribly, and our kids miss each other so much too.
As a going away present, I made them a DVD that included all the pictures and videos I have of our families together over the years (which was A LOT!). On our last evening together before they moved away, we surprised them with the gift and watched it together. We laughed at all the funny memories, but by the end of the video, Anita and I, and all the older girls were in tears. It was finally all sinking in for us that this was really happening, and the fact that our families were separating was so sad!
Brad managed to get these pictures during our goodbyes and just looking at them makes me so sad all over again!
We will miss them terribly, and though we can still FaceTime and see each other, it's just not the same. We have had lots of good conversations with Eden over this being a hard thing in life that happens. She had a hard time understanding why Steven just couldn't get another job here. She has been sad and has had lots of questions, but this is a lesson in life that had to be learned at some point. I feel sad for her and she feels sad for me too because she knows that I lost my friend also.
Though this isn't what I would choose, I'm trying to see the good which is the blessing it has been to be close for so many years. We are so blessed to have their friendship and we have so many memories to cherish. We were able to be there for each other through the growth of our families, and it's a time in life that we will always look back on with fond memories of each other.
Here are some pictures taken in the final week before they moved -
We love you May family! We can't wait to be together again soon!
