Special Friendships

Have you ever been welcomed into someone's home that you've never met with open arms, been fed the most delicious warm homemade food, and put to bed in the silence of the autumn night with a million stars twinkling in the dark sky? I can't begin to tell you what a joy it was to meet Will at DesignerBlog along with his partner, Fritz. These guys treated me like royalty -- in an unpretentious, down to earth, cozy sort of way. Will picked me up more than an hour's drive away in Boston and drove me back to their home in southern New Hampshire. We dined in their warm home, more than 200 years old, around their inviting kitchen table, and sipped on cold wine while Fritz fed us an intoxicating array of homemade foods -- acorn squash filled with butter and maple syrup tapped from their own maple trees. We also had a hot lentil dish and salad. And to top off the meal....homemade apple cake with apples from their orchard. I mean, I'm the first person to get fired up over good food....and this topped the list. We spent our evening laughing, talking history, travel adventures, getting to know one another, talking about "the old days," tossing around the names of several bloggers, and just a little dose of politics (didn't want to ruin a perfectly good meal on politics). The boys put me to bed in their conference center where Fritz teaches a variety of interesting course studies. So, at the end of a busy day, I fell asleep trying to stare out my big picture window into the darkness of the forest on their property. I woke to a cold, sunny morning with white birch trees as my greeting. We took a walk up the newly hewn road to see the construction of their new home which is a masterpiece. You just wouldn't believe how perfect it is. We hiked back into the woods to their sweat lodge and then drove up the road for a little breakfast and through the town of Raymond, New Hampshire. I said my good byes to Fritz (he was teaching that day) and Will and I jumped back on the road to Boston. I am continually amazed at the openness of humanity to welcome others into their lives. To share our hopes and joys. And to even allow our frailties to rise to the top of conversation. All on the first date. These guys are special. I felt like I'd known them for a long time -- you know, that comforting feeling inside when you put on a favorite pair of shoes or sweater. Comfortable, a perfect fit. And as we gathered in the silence of the evening for our meal, we grabbed hands around the table, bowed our heads for a moment of peaceful silence, and they called me "a dear friend." I even think I may have felt a little moisture in my eyes. Moments like these mean the world to me. Is there any doubt that I want to go back? From the bottom of my heart, boys, thank you. Pictures from the visit are here.