Aloha to Our First Friends on the Island!

Today we said Aloha to the very first friends we made in Hawaii. They also attended our church in VA. When Hubby got his orders to Hawaii, a couple from church shared that a family with three little girls had moved to Hawaii just months ago. We emailed them long before our arrival, and talked on the phone. They helped us find a realtor, and introduced us to island living before even arriving in Hawaii. Our families became fast friends once we met in person. In Hawaii it is customary to celebrate someone's departure with an Aloha party. So today we enjoyed their party and company, and offered words of encouragement to them and their children.

Now here is the trade off with living different places. Sure moving brings the heartache and loss of what is familiar, the distance from family, and the apprehension of what the next place will offer, and what it will lack. Then there are the tasty treats, the yummies of friendships that happen only because of moving. Today we celebrated friendship, listened to their uncertainties, and offered reassurance. We laughed, we hugged, and said Ahui Ho...until we meet again. Fortunately we know that will be in June, when we see them in California.
The little girl on the far right was Son1's first little crush, before he was even two years old. We caught them sharing a lollipop, hugs, and teeny pecks. There was a time when we hovered over our children in the ocean. Now the kids get in the water on their own. That left plenty of time for Son2 to get special attention from his parents.