23 degrees...
Fire pit blazing, embers glowing...
Snow piled up all around...
Five hours of laughing and talking...
That right there... true friendship.

It’s funny though, I wasn’t cold at all.
Yes, I had layers on and a heavy coat and hat, but all I felt was warmth.

Warmth filled my heart...

Warmth, knowing our friendship is a blessing to all four of us gathered around.

Warmth, celebrating the joys and accomplishments of our now almost grown children with pride, not jealousy.

Warmth, relishing in the past, laughing about memories of raising toddlers together, the crying, the pooping, the silly moments shared.

Warmth, sharing parts of our inner souls:
Parents dying, grieving, moving on...
Estrangement from family members, sadness, moving on...

Warmth, knowing we will always be checked on... is our driveway plowed, are we okay from the hurricane and loss of power, do we need anything.

Warmth, from a hug...
A hug I would know if my eyes were closed.

Warmth, from our laughter...

So as I sat outside for five hours in the cold,
There was nothing cold about it...

My body was warm from being surrounded by precious friends...

And my heart...

My heart was reminded that I don’t need a warm, cozy couch indoors to feel the love emanating from my friends...

I just need to gather, with those I cherish...
filling up with the warmth of simply being together....

but the fire pit helps too!