We've come a long way, baby!

I remember meeting Joy for the first time in the Spring of 1994. Scott and I had been together for under a year and I was sitting on the swing set in his parent's yard when she came to pick up Nicole one afternoon. I was pregnant with Megan and Joy gave me one nasty look... maybe she didn't... maybe I just expected she would...who knows? I was convinced I hated her before I even met her. I didn't bother to give her a chance and I am not sure she was looking for a new friend either. After all, if she divorced the man I was convinced was the one for me, then we certainly couldn't have anything in common. Or so I thought.

Over the past 14 years, I discovered that all the things I thought I hated about her were the very things that made us most alike! She is edgy and strong and outspoken... just like me. There were various points along the way where we talked but there was always an undercurrent of distrust and dislike... and sometimes even pure hatred and animosity. Then one night in December 2006 I went to Nicole's house to take pictures before her dance, I finally saw the "real" Joy for the first time. Whether it was that she actually showed her genuine self or I was finally open enough to see it, there she was... someone just like me with an undying love and protectiveness for her children. Suddenly everything came into focus and I realized every choice she had made as a parent was not as selfish as I had once thought. She did everything out of love. The wonderful person that Nicole has become is proof of that fact.

Over the past year and a half, we have seen each other a few times and have gotten to know each other better as friends on MySpace. I dreamed for years about this time in our lives, the time when Nicole would be grown and we wouldn't have to "deal" with Joy anymore. How odd to arrive here and realize that Joy is truly someone I would be proud to call my friend. I hope we do stay in touch and not just because we share a love for the same beautiful girl but because I actually ENJOY her... she is hilarious and kind and a fabulous mother (of whom I plan to take lessons from so I can get through the next few years with my girls, lol).

So despite the fact it freaks Scott out, I am officially & proudly proclaiming Joy my friend! :)