I have put off writing this for two days. My eyes have been brimming with tears for those days so I tried to not think about it. Denial. The tears are emerging as I remember our goodbye hug. Neither she nor I could hardly speak but in my silence I hope she heard me tell her that it has been an amazing 5 years. Heather was my first friend in this new land - this new life - this new place.
I met Heather at story time about 3 months after moving to Roxboro. I was lonely, homesick and ready to make new friends. I prayed that morning for God to give me a sign and the boldness to initiate a friendship. The sign was a common paci and the friendship came easily.
Heather and her family also just moved to Roxboro a few months before from Colorado. She had a son Peter's age, a daughter Emma's age and a baby Ryan's age. The kids are all just weeks apart in their birthdays even Heather and I are ten days apart in age.
Over the last five years, we have spent countless hours together, shared birthday parties, play dates at the park, trashed each others houses, been on field trips together, drank lots of coffee, had meals together, cried and laughed together, had a fourth child and watched as Roxboro became each others home.
The kids can hardly remember any other time in their lives other than their time in Roxboro. They can't remember any friends from before the Weigands. They have grown up together. They've been like family to each other. They know each others likes and dislikes.
The time has come for the Weigands to move back to Colorado. It's the right thing for their family to do but it's hard to say goodbye. It was hard to see their van drive away. It was hard to look at my kids and explain how very far away Colorado is from here. It was hard to answer the enevidable question honestly and say, " I have no idea when we'll see them again.". I'm thankful that I didn't hide my tears from them because we have all been touched by their friendship. I want my kids to know that I need friends just like they do. I want them to remember the Weigands and remember that God gave us a tangible gift by placing us together 5 years ago in a little library in a little town with a little green paci.
I'm quite positive that Peter didn't start playing soccer until he was 6. Ryan is most certainly that 5 year old player who is mostly excited about seeing his friends on the field and getting to use his "mad face" when he's going after the ball. 
He's had a good time and feels quite proud of his uniform. He's had his time on the field chasing balls, kicking them toward the wrong goal, falling down on the field when somebody else gets tripped and getting some great exercise.
I think I remember now why we waited until Peter turned 6 to start organized sports!
