Taking Orlando by Storm

Last week, I received the best surprise a girl could ask for.

My friend Jen and I were en route to a weekend Orlando trip we'd planned as a belated birthday celebration. She pulled over at a Bob Evans to supposedly meet her mother-in-law to hand over some alleged rash cream for her son. As we waited in the Bob Evans parking lot, Jen turned to me and said ominously, "She's here." I was just chalking this eerie update to Jen's innate flair for the dramatic, when I look up and see a stunning blonde with a huge smile walking toward us.

"JAMIE!"

Background Info: Jamie, Jen, and I have been best friends since junior high-- even though we haven't all lived in the same state since high school graduation. Jamie currently resides in Fresno, California and we only have a chance to get together every few years.

The three of us have a tendency to talk over each other and laugh loudly in any setting-- no matter how appropriate our behavior may or may not be. Last weekend in Orlando was no exception. Flying high on the unexpected reunion, I pronounced that we were going to "take Orlando by storm".

And we did. Millenia Mall, the outdoor cafe at the hotel, the pool, and several Orlando-area restaurants can attest to the domination of our loud, obnoxious behavior. We even managed to cross an item off my "bucket list"-- singing karaoke in a dive bar. Hilarious. We did what we have always done-- lounged by the pool discussing celebrity gossip, had many wardrobe changes, took cheesy pictures, spent way too long on our makeup, and ate LOTS of food.

I just love these girls. We never break stride. We never have to work to fall back into the rhythm of our friendship-- no matter how much time and distance is between us. We have been friends for 20 years and we joke about being the Golden Girls in another 20. (Of course my jerky friends have proclaimed me Bea Arthur...)



Jamie brought two of her four boys to Florida with her (they stayed with their uncle over the weekend). We were able to get all the kids together before she left town.

Best. Surprise. Ever.