There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...

Last weekend was a spectacular weekend with my oldest and dearest friend, Alicen. She and I could not be more different than we are but that is seriously what makes it work so well. She knows everything about me as well as almost anybody. She knows everyone in my family well and has heard many stories about my friends... maybe even you. She is really tall and really thin and could be, outside of my mom, one of the best mothers a child could ask for. She is steady Eddie and I love her for it. She talks me down out of the tree when I tell her I think I want to jump to see if I can fly and then at the bottom of the tree, brainstorms, encourages and trusts that we will get a feasible plan together that will, INDEED, allow me to fly. She tells me the truth and listens to my crazy stories ad nauseum. I am so thankful for her and her friendship for the last 21 years.

Together, two and a half days, we went non stop and learned all about Nashville and what makes her the gem she is. I haven't taken the time to really do the touristy thing in Nashville since I moved her about 7 years ago and I was so glad that I was able to play tour guide and learn right along with her. Great memories together to add to our already colorful history together.

Friday night, picked her up and went to the Nashville Sounds game where we played the Round Rock Express. Why does this matter? Alicen is from Round Rock!! What are the chances? We had dinner at the ballpark in the shape of a dog with ketchup and I think it was the best meal I had eaten all week. I feel certain it was the company! IN honor of her being here, the Sounds played down their game and allowed the Express to get in there and ... PRESTO! Win for the Round Rock Express. We bend over backwards for our guests to feel welcomed. That's just what we do here in Nashville. GREAT fireworks afterward! Who'd a thunk the best fireworks I've seen all year (And I've seen about 5 pyrotechnic shows thus far this year ... What?! I told you drama follows me!) would be when the Nashville Sounds lost to the triple team from Austin?

Saturday, went to Noshville for brunch and it was delish!! No fireworks but we were ok without them. Trip next door to Gigi's cupcakes to see what all the fuss was about and could not get geared up enough to actually buy one of those icing-laden heart attacks so we took menu to be kind. Car issues - easily fixed and then the Belle Meade Plantation. As they say in Alabama "Well, a plantation by any other name is just a farm but it just rolls of the tongue a little sweeter."

This ain't no farm, kids!

This is a plantation and everything that brings to mind. So interesting and so much to look at. Loved it. Loved the mansion, loved the carriage house, loved the lady toting oxygen behind her all the way through the tour, loved it. Alicen enjoyed it as well. You should head up here or down here as the case may be and come visit.

Went home got dressed for dinner at Opryland Hotel which was jammed packed and so Alicen suggested Opry Mills for something. Chili's? Macaroni Grille? Rainforest Cafe?

How 'bout pizza from the food court?

Christi knows how to treat, that is fer sure!

We had bad seats for the Grand Ole Opry but come on... it was the Grand Ole Opry. Little Jimmy Dickens, Jeannie Sealy, Mike Snider, OPry Square dancers, Billy Dean, Jennifer Hanson and Allison Krauss with the Cox family all present for Alicen's debut at the Opry. Great show!

Downtown Nashville following the show was a bust! Didn't happen but several grand attempts.

Sunday, church at an amazing church, Grace Community Church, where I am blessed to go each week. Fantastic service with sermon on sanctification and holiness which was timely, relevant and instructive. What a blessing!

Baby shower for Christi - packing for Alicen as she prepared to head back to the great state of Texas. While Alicen was here, it was the great state of Tennessee. Blessed by the visit and so sad to see her go. We had a great time together and bonded us together in yet a different wayand created memories. These memories I will pack away right next to the ones that include:

• middle school pottery wheel electrocutions,
• sisters with hammers running at glass,
• trampoline jumping and blue bike riding,
• card games at night under the covers with flashlights,
• missing fingers,
• soccer ball confessions,
• loves that stayed and loves that left,
• children,
• matching broken feet with matching sweaters... on picture day,
• space trolley rides
• broken families
• Mrs. Staley's contracts

...and my favorite ~ lingering thoughtful conversations through the fence at home, meeting in the middle and living life together.

Since third grade, Alicen has been an integral part of my life and I wouldn't be the same without her. She is still just as integral to my life now, over 20 years later, as she was when we lived next door. The Lord knows our hearts and sometimes, in some of the greatest blessings of our lives, the Lord trusts us with people... His people and those He loves so dearly.

Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with Alicen and her precious friendship. Thank you for shaping it, stretching it, strengthening it and allowing to grow in godliness with each passing year. Bless her as you have blessed me with her.