Monday, April 18, 2011

Lidocaine's Visit

When I say that Lydia Irwin and I are BFFs, I mean that there has never been two closer friends in the history of friendship.   We met ten years ago, just a few weeks into our freshman year at Princeton.  We both made it into our beloved a'cappella group, Roaring 20.  She was a Soprano (sop) and I an Alto (altoid.)  The feeling that we had known each other forever was mutual.  We are soul sisters, and it is exceedingly unnatural that we live our lives thousands of miles apart.  She is conquering her third year of med school at Robert Wood Johnson in Philly and although her life will not be her own for several years, we try to connect as often as possible.  In February, she surprised me with the news that she would want nothing more than to come visit me (and Liam) during her one-week break in March.  Wes was in the Bahamas that week for work, so we were able to recreate our roomie days at Princeton!  It was the best pre-bday present I could have hoped for.  


We skied Deer Valley her first day in town, and by ski I mean we did a few green runs and hung out in the lodge.  We joke that the picture above has been taken several thousand times, just with different backgrounds and apparel.  I can prove it.


My sweet parents treated us to the Deer Valley Seafood Buffet, where we each consumed 3,000 calories plus.  (Lydia is more a part of our family than some parts of our family.)  Since then, I often dream about dungeness crab dipped in drawn butter...and vanilla bean creme brulee...All you can eat!!  If you have not experienced the Seafood Buffet, you have not lived.  Little Liam ate his weight in berries, melon and fancy cheese.  







As only would happen with great minds that think alike, Lydia and I can often be seen in public wearing oddly similar get-ups...and 99% of the time it is completely unintentional.  We were the necklace twins at this particular juncture.  Lydia introduced me to these fabulous necklaces that can be twisted into all sorts of designs.  I'm obsessed.  


It meant the world to me that Lidocaine was able to spend quality time with my baby.  She is affectionately known as "Auntie Lydia" in our home, and Liam warmed up to her within minutes.  How could you not?  




We stopped by my dear friend, Emma's house so that Lyd could meet baby Zuzu.  Lydia would be starting her OBGYN rotation in a few days and was anxious to hear details of Emma's labor and delivery.  


We also spent some time with my crew, David, Jon and Dan.  Liam performed his karate skills and showed everyone a fun way to get dizzy by spinning round and round and looking in the direction from which you are spinning...




We stayed up late every night, trying to fit in a year's worth of conversations into four days.  There is absolutely nothing that we cannot talk about.  We have seen each other at our best and worst and have literally grown up together.  I'm secretly praying that she and her boyfriend Robert, end up in Salt Lake for residency, but the odds are less than desirable.  (She is a year ahead of Roro and will be choosing the residency city based on the most likely place Roro could get a surgery residency.)  




If all else fails, we have committed to being roommates again in an old folk's home in 60 years.  I can't wait.  Thanks for visiting, Lyd!  I miss you already.