Parting ways...once again

In 9 days, John and I are leaving for Baltimore with one small cat and our 2 month old son. We are heading out on a new adventure. We have a really great rowhouse waiting for us that we are sub-leasing and my mouth is already watering for the great seafood we are going to be eating. I daydream sometimes about taking walks to the farmer's market and regular grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, seeing old friends, and spending my first summer with Beckham. With all these exciting things on the horizon, my heart is still heavy because we have to say goodbye to some dear friends.

Almost 3 years ago, John and I landed on the island of Dominica knowing NO ONE. I immediately had my eyes peeled for anyone who even remotely looked like they might be the wife of a medical student. The first week was discouraging. It wasn't until the second week that I heard there was a spouse named Tricia on the island.... that she was from Canada and she was a social worker, like me. I couldn't find her fast enough. Once i did, i am surprised she stuck around to actually be friends with me. I liken myself in those first few days to a shark....on the hunt. I needed and wanted friends. Tricia seemed like a great candidate :). We became fast friends and soon we had introduced our husbands as well.













We spent the first 3 semesters living the "island life". Contrary to what you might imagine, our "island life" included lots of sweating, movies in classroom 3, potlucks, hikes to waterfalls, and trips to Roseau along a really windy road for grocery shopping, i.e. the best recipe for motion sickness out there. We walked through an immensely challenging and wonderful experience. together. All the ups and downs, every exam, and every future uncertainty. Oh, and we also had a BLAST! singing, dancing, and making the most of our time there.































During 3rd semester, Dan & Tricia told us that they were heading to the Bahamas for 4th semester. Saying goodbye was really difficult, especially not knowing if we'd meet up down the road. But, blessings were headed our way because we were both accepted into the Michigan program for 5th semester. We reunited in Saginaw in January of 2010 and it was sweet! We started a new adventure together, braving the cold of the Michigan north (which was a piece of cake for these Canadians) and walking through the next phase of medical school together.

















































We parted ways again in May of 2010, with hopes that we'd both be accepted back into the Michigan program for core rotations. Two months later, we were! We've been here since August of 2010. When we came back together again, we were both pregnant! Our husbands were starting core rotations and our bellies were growing.



Not only have we walked through these last 3 years of medical school together, but we walked through pregnancy and the births of our sons together. They have been dear and true friends to us since the beginning. Throughout our friendship we've had to say goodbye plenty of times. This time is harder, though. The only thing redemptive about saying goodbye is knowing that we've formed a lifelong friendship....one that will last. Whether we are driving to Canada or they are driving to Tennessee, or we are meeting somewhere in the middle, these friends are with us for the long haul.