The Best Christmas Present Ever

Last night we were visited by my oldest and dearest friends, Loopy and Mr. P. When they arrived, they asked us to leave the Sprouts home for just a few minutes and follow them.

I was a little miffed, since MN winters are cold and I really would have preferred to stay indoors. Still, I love them. So I left Big Sprout in charge and we trudged out to our vehicles.

As Mr. Barefoot and I were following them, my first thought was that they had bought a house near us. I immediately discounted that theory, though, since they lost their house in the bubble collapse and have been having some really big financial issues.

My next thought was that they were taking me to see some really cool holiday lights. That thought made me even more crabby, because we were already about a mile away from Barefoot Manor and NO lights were important enough to go out on a cold night to see.

Then my dear friends pulled over at the side of the road about 2 miles from Barefoot Manor. There was nothing around but an old farmhouse. I hopped out of Mr. Barefoot's truck and ran up to them.

"Is it yours?!" I asked.

Loopy jumped out of their truck and did a happy little hop-dance.

"IT'S OURS!!!!" she screamed.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAAAY!

We jumped up and down like a couple of school girls screaching and laughing and crying all at the same time.

Mr. Barefoot and Mr. P were much more MANLY about it, approaching each other with that particularly male swagger and shaking hands.

It turns out that Loopy's sister has been buying investment properties for the last several years and renting them out. She was willing to buy this particular house and then Contract for Deed it back to Loop and Mr. P.

I am so happy. Seriously.

Loop and Mr. P have been with me through almost all the worst times in my life, and even some of the best. They are true friends that I have missed terribly while they lived far away.

We stayed up till after 1am making plans for BBQs and our gardens in our new homes. We searched seed catalogs and reminisced about "the good old days" when Loop, Mr. P, myself, and a couple more folks were inseparable. We talked paint colors and hardwood floors. We chatted about diet/exercise plans. We basically caught up on everything that has been going on in our lives for the last couple of years.

It was FABULOUS!

I am not a social creature, but some folks just seem to be an extension of yourself. With Loopy and Mr. P, I never feel self-conscious. They understand my silences and accept them. We agree on so many things, and have the same goals. We are the BEST of friends. We are FAMILY.

And now they will be living just 2 miles from me. Even with my mad schedule, we will be able to visit often. My Sprouts will remember how fun Aunt Loopy can be. We can work on each other's homes and yards. It will be just like the old days.

Well, except for the fact that we are all....OLDER now. Hopefully a little bit of wisdom comes with that, as well.

I am so happy!