Let me tell you about my Beantown friends...

Nathaniel and I can often be heard repeating refrains of praise for our adopted hometown, Boston. While the rich history, lavish cultures, and glamorous metropolitan feel all helped form our positive opinion of the city, as well as our desire to return, the people we met there really cemented our feeling of belonging.

The people I met there model the generosity of spirit and life that I remember my family embracing throughout my childhood. In 18 months living there, the bonds created became so strong and durable that the Boston influence remains prominent throughout the life events Nathaniel and I are experiencing in rapid fire sequence. Who could forget the story of the wedding cake imported in the trunk of an SUV that carried an exhausted baker and 7 month pregnant friend? Or the Boston roommate that moved 5 hours up the road and was sure to dance with me at my wedding? Or the encouragement and love I get from 750 miles away on a nearly daily basis? The people I met in Boston embody the truest definition of love, selflessness, loyalty, honesty, and timeless connection. I feel so thankful to add them to the long tradition of love I've experienced in my life.

Another example of the depth of Boston-born friendships arrived on Tuesday at RDU airport. My friend, Jen, is the mother of 2 little girls, ages 3 years and 6 months. She works a job that is labeled "full time," but usually occupies her closer to 55 hours per week, as opposed to 40 hours. She and her husband work hard to make their family work well, manage to face the expense and pressure of life in the Boston area, and still have the kind of family life for their little Hayley and Taylor that I would love to be able to establish for our little boy. As a matter of fact, Jen and I have already planned that when little boy Eschler grows up, he can choose between Hay or Tay for romantic interests, so that we can preserve our common family values in that perfect union :)

In the middle of one of the most hectic times of year for her job, with her oldest daughter's birthday in the mix, her own birthday coming up, and holiday expenses running rampant, Jen's request was for a plane ticket to North Carolina and 2 days worth of childcare relief so she could come visit me for 48 hours. She sat in my office for a large portion of that time, watching me wrestle with the red tape of the mental health system, reading on her new Kindle. We went to the mall and baked and watched bad movies that entertain us greatly the rest of the time. The lack of pressure and enormity of her support and love were completely medicinal. And, while material expressions are not the clearest demonstrations of anything deep, the generosity of Jen's spirit, and the spirit of the people in our circle up in Boston can be gleaned directly from the material gifts she brought.

In Jen's carry on-sized suitcase, her clothing and personal effects took up less than a quarter of the space. The rest was an amalgam of niceties sent from Boston to make our parenting adventure successful.

Most notably, Jen brought me a BRAND NEW, TOP OF THE LINE MEDELA BREAST PUMP.
One of our friends, Adam, who is a chef in the kitchen where Jen works/where I worked in grad school, recently had a little girl. His girlfriend, Robyn, apparently never used the pump. When he found out I was pregnant, he sent me a message letting me know Jen would have it for me. He also sent a $40 Target gift card for whatever components I may have to buy for it! Thank you Adam, Robyn, and Rayna! Can't wait to see you all in May.


In addition to that fantastic gift and thoughtfulness, Jen collaborated with the baker-extraordinaire, Stephanie. Steph sent the cutest little boy outfits and a changing station!

Thank you, Stephanie, for your continued love, support, and excitement for us. We love you much!


And last, but certainly not least, Jen made incredibly sweet contributions as well. Knowing that our child is destined for Ivy League (or at least high levels of excellence), Jen was sure to start little boy's wardrobe well.
In addition, she PACKED her suitcase with little things that (I am told) will mean a lot: extra breast pads, storage bags, magazines, and other "little" big things...
Before Jen left, though, she made what is, perhaps, the biggest contribution toward our little boy's preparation: A VERA BRADLEY DIAPER BAG. It is BEAUTIFUL and makes me eager to carry around bottles and diapers and wipes and blankies! She said someone bought her a Vera Bradley diaper bag for her first baby and she could not imagine having to go without hers, so she wanted to share the joy. Getting the box in the mail was a thrill, as is the possibility of starting motherhood out in true style! The zebra print changing pad just makes everything better, too!

I wicked seveahly haht you, Jennifah Pike!
As I said, I know material objects are not the most important indication of the depth of affection or true regard, but when speaking of the generosity of spirit of the people I know and love from my time in Boston, their material generosity is unavoidably involved in the conversation. I canNOT wait to bring little boy Eschler to Boston to meet his extended family in May.

I wicked seveahly love and miss you all in my Bahstahn home!