Ladies Night Out!!!

Friends are so important. They are there to share our laughter, our sorrow, our triumphs and our disappointments. So every month a group of us get together for dinner. Most of these ladies I met through the St. Cloud Singles Group, where is also where I met Mark, my husband. They are a super group of women! Being I got married, I can no longer hang out with the Signles Group. So one of the members and good friend, Merry, decided to have monthly dinners where the single ladies could get together with the married ladies. Merry had other commitments this night so she's not in the picture. She's a sweetie! She has taught in Rocori for many years and plays the organ for her church, as well as for weddings, including her friends. We've been meeting for about a year now, and it is wonderful. Sharon in the red sweater is a bit of a rebel, she loves summer time so she can drive around with the roof down on her convertible. She always has a smile on her face. Jan, the one in the white and blue sweater has close family ties, as a matter of fact, on this night out, we ran into her sister and family. They really do stick close. Jan also has one of the most fantastic snowmen collections. Barb is in the green sweater, she's the other married one in the group. Barb was the host to our marriage ceremony by allowing Mark & I to be married in her backyard. It was sort of a rehersal for her wedding that followed about eight months later. Before I got married, we spent quite a few nights well into the morning talking on her porch after the dances. Last is Shari in the blue stripe shirt. Shari & I ventured to St. Cloud to attend our first dance of the Singles Club together. I've known Shari for over ten years. I met her at a support group for divorcees. I was fortunate to be able to have her for a friend. We went through our second 'teen' years as we discovered what it was like to be single after many years of marriage. We attended numerous single dances and spent many hours sitting at Perkin's after those dances. We met many fine friends, and some we'd rather not remember. She is a fantastic person. When she smiles, her eyes seem to laugh.
Nothing in the world compares to friendship. It is something that we often take for granted. I want to take this moment to thank these gals for being my friends. I look forward to spending many more monthly dinners as well as other times out with these gals. I wish them only the best in life, for the best deserve the best. I also am thankful for everyone who has been my friend throughtout my life. Without your shoulder to lean on, or you reassuring smile, I would not have been able to be who I am today. Your friendship, your strength, your belief in me helped me to become the person I am today, and it continues to mold and shape the person I seek to be. Thanks so much for your friendship!