Our friend Whitney

Shortly after moving to Florida, we went out to eat at a Japanese steak house. We didn't have one in Iowa so it was real treat to have one only a few minutes away. We sat down at the hibachi grill next to three women. 

Almost five year old Alex struck up a conversation with the gorgeous young woman sitting next to him.  I honestly think it was his first crush because he acted completely different around her than anyone else. We learned her name was Whitney.   We exchanged information and found each other on Facebook.  

It was an instant friendship with Whitney. The other two women were her cousin and her mother.  We haven't seen her cousin again but we have been in touch with Trudy. 

As far as I know, every time Whitney ventures to Florida, she contacts us and gives us a piece of her vacation.  One time she and her friend hung out with us for a few hours and it was delightful. 

You know how sometimes you just click with other people? Well that is our Whitney and Trudy. We adore them. It feels more like family than even long time friends because when we get back together it feels like its been a week rather than a few months.  It's an easy friendship. Whitney is the girl who every mother wants their daughter to grow up to be - smart, funny, outgoing, beautiful, thoughtful...the list of positive adjectives is never ending. 

The last time we spent time with Whitney and Trudy we met in New Smyrna Beach.  Andrew and I hadn't been there since before Gabriel was born, over 8 years ago.  Surprisingly it still looks the same. 

The kids played on the beach until it got too cold and the tide came in, attempting to take their breach toys out to sea. 

We had an early dinner and an awesome treat of ice cream   Even though it was a cold evening, ice cream was yummy and appreciated by everyone. 

Whitney taught the kids their family tradition of getting ice cream on their face      I don't remember the exact tradition - eating without a spoon maybe?  They were thrilled with the des and two weeks later wanted to do it again at a birthday party we attended.  

We plan on spending time with Trudy and Whitney in a month.  Since it will be close to Alex's seventh birthday, I'm sure he will be thrilled to practice the ice cream tradition. I will have to ask Whitney what exactly the tradition is because me kids seem to think its just to put lots of ice cream on their face.