My Soul Sister from Ireland

Many people have asked HOW I know Catherine…how could I possibly have a best friend that lives over 3,000 miles away in Ireland…well its easy…we both are damn good at keeping in touch! hah

I met Catherine the summer of 1997…when my parents shipped my brother and I over to Ireland for our 10 week summer break! Catherine was best friends with my cousin and his gf at the time…therefore I hung out with her quite a bit that year. I came home after a great summer away and we wrote old fashioned letters to keep in touch! And from that point on…every time I’d go to Ireland we’d hang out and eventually she came to Cali to visit me too! Our friendship as grown and she is now like a girl cousin and much more than a friend!

1997 When it all began…

This was the group that summer…Catherine, Deb, Me, Deirdre, and my cousin Alan and his gf who are not pictured here…So weird that we were all so close that summer!

 

And a few more from way back when…


These are mostly taken in pubs and nightclubs…yes when we were youngsters! Oh those were the days!

Catherine has come to visit me a good few times…with my cousin and his now wife in 2002, she's come with a huge group for my wedding in 2006, she's come solo 2004 and now she has come twice with her husband…last time  was when I was sick 4 years ago…She was my chemo buddy for #7

Thankfully that visit in 2009 wasn’t all sick days at home…we got to bring them to Disneyland (as I got dirty looks from old ladies for being in a wheel chair with my bald head…b*itches!), the beach at sunset and the Mission Inn for the festival of lights. They also got to experience their first American Thanksgiving. It was a good trip….but seemed to long ago!

John was just her boyfriend at the time…but he was in the works of planning an engagement. (he secretly bought her ring at Robins Bros while visiting us and proposed in Times Square on their way back home!) Since she came to Cali to visit I have been to Ireland twice…once for a regular visit and once for her wedding…

SO THIS time they were here it was crazy to reflect back on last time they were here visiting…Owen was 7 months old…as Ella is almost 6 months this time around. It felt the same but oh so different too. Much happier…and healthier!

I love that we have continued our friendship for 16 years…she was my bridesmaid, I was hers…she loves my kids and I’ll love hers someday too! And don’t you worry…I was pushing for those babies while they were here….so not an “Irish thing” to do…BUT yeah…I’m American so its ok to make them a baby-making basket! lol

Thanks for being so awesome Mr & Mrs Brogan! We love you!!