Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Sayonara Friends - Part 2

Saying goodbye to good friends is really such a mix of emotions.  You're having so much fun with them, and you're so excited for them to start a new chapter in their lives.  But at the same time, you are anticipating how much you're going to miss them, and you just don't want THIS chapter to be done quite yet.  Unfortunately for Matt and I, we were hit with two goodbyes back-to-back when it was the Posada's turn to leave Okinawa the following week.  Again, we had an amazing last few days together, full of beach parties and good food every night of the week, but we were definitely emotionally drained at the end of it.  It was SO hard to say goodbye to our other best friends.  Here are a few highlights from our last week with Lyndsey and Andrez!



Gorgeous day at Torii Beach

Lemonade & Champagne for the girls:)



No party is complete without Catch Phrase


Paddleboarding toward an amazing sunset







Good friends:)



Some strong wasabi at Kami Sushi



Fun in the Japanese photo booth (which makes your eyes look like Anime characters!)

Bollywood Dreams - another favorite


So much fun

The Posada's last night on Okinawa


Love this girl!


Right before we left our whole lives to move to Japan, Matt's Aunt Debbie told me that we are going to meet the best and closest friends we've ever had there.  I wasn't too sure at the time, but I always remembered that.  3 1/2 years later, I can tell you that she was absolutely right.  There is something about this place that is different than the States (and it's not just all the Kanji or driving on the left side of the road).  There is something about this place that makes you grow closer to friends than you ever would in the States, and that's because all of us have things in common.  We are all in the military, we are all living in a foreign country, and we are all thousands and thousands of miles away from our homes and families.  We are the ones who help each other move into a new house, or push each other's car to the nearest body shop when it breaks down.  We spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and birthdays together.  We take vacations together.  We help each other through tough times and celebrate together during good times.  We ARE each other's families out here.  


As sad as I am to say goodbye to the Perez's and then the Posada's both over the course of one week, I am so very thankful for those friendships.  And when I think about them, and all of our amazing memories living abroad with them, I can't help but smile;)  

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

-


Friday, April 19, 2013

Sayonara Friends - Part 1

I feel like I should just end the blog right here and now - our best friends are leaving Okinawa!  Anyone who has followed my blog in the past can tell you that the Posada's and Perez's have been a vital part of our Okinawan experience, and I can say without a doubt that our lives here would never have been the same without them!  

Because they met on the plane ride over here (and a Marine Corps tour over here typically lasts 3 years for everyone who is married), it was inevitable that they'd be leaving around the same time as well.  The Perez's were the first to go, and although it was incredibly sad, we also spent the last few weeks hanging out with them non-stop, which resulted in even more good times and good memories:)  Here are some shots from our last week with Nick and Amanda Perez!



Goodbye Perez's dinner party





Lyndsey, Amanda & I

Our favorite Perez memories written on cards for them to read while on the plane (among my favorite memories  - Amanda breaking her finger on our Memorial Day camping trip & playing "Telephone Pictionary" at their house 2 Christmases ago!)

Last time getting frozen yogurt together in Okinawa

Last Cocok's pedicures together:)


Dinner at Transit Cafe on the seawall - night before Nick & Amanda flew out

Also a little birthday celebration for me:)


Girls going away gifts



Nick & Amanda

Lyndsey & Andrez

Matt and I


Love these girls SOOO much!

And then we started to get a little goofy with the photos...











We seriously have THE best friends! (I am cracking up right now just remembering how much fun this night was!)

To say we are going to miss these two is a complete understatement.  They are some of the most hilarious, generous, hospitable, and fun people to be around.  Anyone who has met Nick and Amanda knows what an incredible couple and what amazing friends they are.  We have been so very blessed to have them in our lives for these past three years, and I am so thankful for them!   Nick & Amanda - you guys mean so much to us, and we already miss you!!

Unfortunately, that isn't the end of the goodbyes... stay tuned for my next post devoted to our week of saying "Sayonara!" to our favorite Las Vegas couple (and their doggies) - the Posadas.  


-C