Awhile back I wrote a blog about this being the year all my friends and I turn the wonderful age of 40 (see The year of 40). I talked about how despite the negative connotation that comes with turning 40, I would refrain from using any of it on my friends, because as we have all learned, we’re only as old as we feel!!

I frequently get lost in thought and sometimes my mind wanders back to the days of simpler times…times when I wasn’t concerned about what day is payday and when my bills are due and other fun stressors that come with being an adult. On those days when I get lost in thought, sometimes my mind wanders back to the days of being a kid and a teenager and all the fun I had with my friends growing up. So, as this 40th year of life comes blasting forward, I thought I’d share some of my childhood memories with you and my 40 year-old friends!

To Tosha, I remember the countless hours we spent on that lemon twist jump rope toy you had. We would jump around on that thing for hours trying to see which of us could get the most jumps in a row.

To Tammy, I remember having fun being neighbors and playing jokes on your little sister, Sherry and how we NEVER got away with anything because she ALWAYS told on us!!!

To Mandy, I remember riding our bikes up and down the street and then me going across the street & you climbing through your back fence to play in the park that was just for our neighborhood. We’d play for hours & have the best time with everyone else in our neighborhood.

To Leah, I remember playing with Barbie’s at your house. I was always so jealous because you had the coolest Barbie accessories, like the Barbie dream house, the Ken doll and Ken’s cool car!! We’d also swim and lay around your pool for hours.

To Melody, I remember when you first moved to Lampasas in 1st grade and we did that Easter skit in our class. I think I played the Momma hen and you were the baby chick that broke out of the shell (the trash can) at the end and went, “Peep, peep!”

To Barbara, I remember the play we did in the 4th grade, although for the life of me I can’t remember the name of it. But, you played the main character (the damsel in distress) and you were hilarious in that role!!

To Delana, I remember when we were in Kindergarten and I tried to help you put toys away so we could start class and you got mad at me and punched me in the mouth!! Hmmm, maybe that was the start of my dental problems…hahaha, just kidding!!

To Marci, I remember the playhouse in your backyard. That was the coolest playhouse. We would spend hours playing in there with our tea parties & whatever else we made up while we were in there.

To Janna, I remember sitting in your room, listening to music and playing board games. I think we played the Game of Life more than any other, dreaming about how we wanted our lives to turn out…our husbands, the number of kids we’d have and our dream jobs.

To Carrie Jo, I remember all the band trips, parades and practices in the wonderful (ha!) and humid August summers.

To Kellie, I remember sitting next to you in band in junior high when I thought it was a great idea to switch from the trumpet to the French horn. Not only am I glad I came to my senses on the instrument, but also that we became fast & lifelong friends with too many memories to name!

To Cristy, I remember walking around your neighborhood and playing at your house. I also remember the nice Mustang you had when we were old enough to drive…it sure was fun cruising Key in that car!!

To Dana, I remember all the times we used to drive around in your little gray car during lunch and listen to “Black Velvet”. Every time I hear that song, I always think of you!!

There are just too many memories to name! Cruising Key on Friday and Saturday night, walking to Storms after school when we were in junior high & also going to Gattis and ordering cinnamon breadsticks. I thought of those and so many others while reminiscing over these memories!! We’ve been friends for so long, I just pray our kids are taking the time to make memories with their friends that they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Thanks for indulging me on my trip down memory lane! And to my 40 year-old friends I mentioned, what memories do you remember!?!