She is the friend I’ve had since before I had braces. The one I played softball with, fought over boys with and had my first drinks of alcohol with. She is the one person in the world who knows all my secrets and laughed at all of my embarrassing moments. And, of course, half the reason I trust her with them is because I know all of hers as well.
She is the friend I can spend hours on the phone with, talking about nothing and everything. I know what kind of day she’s having by the sound of her voice when I answer the phone. Now that we’re grown ups with husbands, our conversations are just as often by text message as by phone. Because it’s her, it’s OK. I forgive her when she hits ‘ignore” when I call and she forgives me when “I’ll call you back in five minutes,” turns into three days.
Once inseparable, it’s been almost six months since I’ve seen her. Because a few years ago she had the audacity to move twelve hours away from home. I lost my best friend to a better job in a fun city where she met her (now) husband and is about have her first baby.
In a few weeks she’ll become a mother and a part of me is sad to be missing these moments. In high school we were each the other’s go to person for advice about guys, other friends or complicated situations. I wish I could be there to be her sounding board during those first challenging weeks. I want to bring her casseroles (OK, fine, pizza) and cuddle her baby while she naps. And at the end of the week that just can’t end fast enough, I want to bring the wine.
Instead. I sent her gifts in the mail and did my best to put the things that saved my life into a box. The result?
The Maya Wrap that let me have my hands free while keeping C close to me, the I Love You So book that still makes me tear up when I read it, Gentle Naturals cream for dry baby skin and cradle cap, and socks and bibs, because you never have enough of those. So, while I can’t be there to help her calm a fussy baby, maybe these things will help. And if not, my cell phone will be fully charged.
PS. I’ll probably send something after the baby arrives and need suggestions. What was the best gift you’ve given or received? What saved your life with a newborn?
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is she nursing? because that opens up a whole can of worms =)
you make me miss my friend, who is the same all the up until the husband/baby part. and i’m the one that moved across an ocean, and then came back, but just a little bit.
you’re a good friend.
Ah you are a good friend to send a package like that! And I totally miss my BFF’s from my hometown now too!
I’m not sure what else you could send since those are some pretty awesome gifts. Maybe a nursing cover (if she’s bfing) or a personalized blanket (baby’s name or initials) or a few simple rattles/toys.
Awe! My BFF lives 3 hours away from me and I think THAT is too far! I can’t imagine 12 hours! You are such a good friend to send her care packages! Little treats for her are good. I remember one of my friends gave me a basket filled with bubble bathes, chocolates, a fun dvd, a gift certificate to get a pedicure, etc. It was amazing! I also loved all the personalized gifts I got for my little man–they were my favorite. tag blankets, picture frames, burp clothes with his name, etc. They all make his room so special.
When I started reading this, I thought you were going to say she finally had her baby! She sent a comment to me the other day, saying she was trying everything to get the baby to come. lol
My mom buys all the new babies in the family a book called (I think) My Own Name. It takes an animal or fairy of each of the baby’s name and tells a story. It also has the birth date in it. It’s a pretty neat book and teaches the child how to spell his/her name as they get older (that’s the teacher in me that likes the educational value).
This is so sweet! Hmmm…Sophie the giraffe has saved my life. A Chicco hook-on chair (35.99) has saved my life. Knowing it’s ok in the first few months if he naps in his pack-n-play saved my life. It’s as much about support and information as it is about stuff – so YOU will save her life.
PS Do you have the book Love You Forever? Tearjerker.
This makes me miss my 2 best friends who are spread out over the country now. Those type of thoughtful and unexpected gifts are always the BEST.
btw, I found you on the featured blogs today on d-listed
Swaddle blankets were a life saver for me, the kind with a little stretch in them so you can get that corner tucked in easily. I give these to every mom to be now. I’d also send a little something for mom. Those were the best care packages I got, something for baby and something for me. Bath salts are always nice, but anything self pampering is best. You know what she likes to do for herself.
-Jen
I’m a new follower from the D-list! My best friend sent me a similar care package right before I had my first baby. Your BFF will love it! It’s so hard to raise kids away from friends, but it makes it really special when you are able to get together.
You’re making me miss my best friend!
We actually delivered 10 days apart but live three hours away from eachother. It stinks because we should be going through it all together, but that’s just too far with tiny ones to make the trip often.
Get her the book titled Someday. So precious.
Congratulations to your friend!! I have baby fever BAD.
I love that idea! My Maya has saved my life a bajillion times as well – I’m sure she’ll love it.
I wish I was still that close with my best friend! We have such different lives now, we’ve grown apart. I miss that!!
If she’s nursing, the thing that saved my life after having J was the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. It offered WAY more support than the Boppy. It was awesome.
And the Miracle Blanket. I couldn’t have lived without that thing.
(I’m just NOW getting around to stopping by the blogs featured the same day as me on D-Listed. BloggingFAIL for me.)
Also, gift cards to restaurants that deliver were a lifesaver, or to places that my husband could swing by on his way home from work.
You are such a thoughtful and amazing friend. One of the best gifts I received for my 2nd baby was the book Twelve Hours by Twelve weeks. It walked me through the process of teaching my newborn how to sleep. I tweaked the process so it fit our lifestyle and it worked. My girlfriend gave me the gift of an exclusively breastfed 10 week old who could self soothe and sleep 12 hours without crying! AWESOME. You can order at, http://www.babycoach.net I also loved the Sophie and the Sleep Sheep were awesome gifts too.
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