•7:50 PM
This entry is too long in coming, but better late than never. Where to begin?? Early this spring, I received a private FB message from Erica - a woman who is friends with my BFF, Shannon, now that she lives in North Carolina:
What an amazing idea! But at that point, there was no foreseeable way we could afford my plane fare. When I told Aaron about it, he said, "If you want it, and you feel good about it, then pray for it." So I did. Within 6 weeks, Heavenly Father worked his miracles and I had a plane ticket to Savannah. The next task at hand was to keep the secret from Shannon for 2 months. That was a tough one! I knew I couldn't tell many of our mutual friends here in Washington, for fear that someone would slip on Facebook and let the cat out of the bag. It was a challenge - and by the night before my departure, I had told several friends. They were very supportive and excited and even posted a couple of cover-posts on Facebook so Shannon would never suspect a visit.
Finally, the day arrived. I flew all night Thursday night so I could arrive in Savannah about the same time as Shannon and the girls. I was so stinking excited! The cover story the girls used to get Shannon to the airport was that Suzane's husband asked her to pick up a rental car receipt. Not knowing the airport layout, I planned to meet her at the rental car counters. Suzane came inside and found me and we went out to the car where a completely unsuspecting Shannon was waiting.
(I will insert the video here if I can ever get my computer's hands on it...)
There are no words for that moment. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to catch someone I love so off-guard in such a spectacularly fun way. My cool, dark-and-twisty friend was so emotional. It was wonderful to see her again after a year-and-a-half. Getting to spend that time together in a city as beautiful as Savannah was a real treat.
After checking in at the hotel in the historical district, we spent some time walking through the fun shops down on River Street. It's a very interesting and funky place. There are also a lot of neat shops in the City Market area, and we spent some time browsing them as well. That evening we ate outside at an italian restaurant in the marketplace. As is usually the case when women get together, there were some serious conversations and lots of laughing until my sides ached.
On Saturday we ate breakfast at the hotel. We knew we wanted to have dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant - The Lady and Sons - that evening. We didn't know that the reservations process was a bit unusual. As instructed, we showed up Saturday morning to stand in line to get a reservation for Saturday's dinner. Suzane was a good sport and got us the reservation for 7:00 while we drove around. Then we headed out to the beach.
The first stop was the Tybee Lighthouse. It is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, built in 1773. Beautiful.
Even though it was cloudy, it was still hot, and it was a great day to be at the beach. Unlike here where the beaches are rocks and dark sand and freezing water, the beach there had soft, light sand and the water temperature was 81 degrees. It was wonderful just to lay on the beach and soak up some summer sun (something we haven't had yet here in the NW).
We ate lunch at a cute little beach restaurant/bar. Their sweet potato fries with a balsamic reduction drizzle were fantastic. Their plantains weren't as good as the ones my mother-in-law taught me to make, but they were sweet and tasty. Erica went into the restroom and came out talking about the amazing sea salt scrub in there that left her skin so soft and moisturized. Of course we all had to take turns trying it. Shannon loved it so much she insisted that we stop at a store on the way back to the hotel and try to find some sea salts for her shower. With the four of us having to shower and get to the restaurant to make our reservation, I didn't think we probably had time to find a place. So I told her I had a ziploc in my purse which she could fill with some of the sea salts at the restaurant. We are officially old ladies.
We made it to The Lady and Sons in time for our reservation. It is a really cool old building and had at least 3 levels of dining rooms. It was much bigger than I remembered. The hoe cake and garlic cheese biscuit we got while waiting for our entrees were soooooo gooood. Shannon ordered the chicken pot pie - which was definitely the best choice on the menu and very pretty to boot. The rest of us were a little disappointed in our food, but I was still very glad we went.
On Sunday, we had to head out around noon but Erica really wanted to see the cathedral in town. I'm so glad she did. Along the way we saw some great historical sites and really got to see the beautiful history of the city. In the historic district, the streets are arranged so that there is a little park square in the middle of the four-way intersections. Most had a statue or two and lots of beautiful trees. We happened upon a tour guide telling a group of people about that particular square. In the early days, it was execution square where the hangings would happen. She said there was an urban legend that the Spanish moss that covers all of the big trees in Savannah would not grow in any place where blood had been spilt. Sure enough - we looked up to see that corner of the square had no Spanish moss. True or not, it makes for a great story.
We finally made it to the cathedral. There were signs posted that there was no touring allowed, as mass was in session. The three of us were disappointed and ready to turn back when Shannon went up and opened one of the doors and motioned for us to come inside. We went into one of the back pews and listened as the priest spoke. The interior of the cathedral was breathtaking - the carvings, the stained glass, the mosaics - stunning. And as the priest spoke about the body and blood of Christ, I was reminded how easy it is to feel the Holy Spirit's presence in any place where people are gathered with the intent to worship God. My heart felt peaceful and hopeful. It was such a neat experience.
We had a good time in the car on the way to Shannon's house in North Carolina - good conversation over the four-hour drive.
I couldn't believe how Shannon's kids have grown, and it was wonderful to be able to visit her home. Just like old times - complete with a Mr. Sean special sandwich dinner. Then the whole family went out for ice cream at Sunni Skies. It is this little ice cream shop where they have dozens of flavors of homemade ice cream. I was not brave enough to try Cold Sweat - the infamous hot pepper ice cream, but mine was fantastic. As we sat outside eating our ice cream, in a clearing in the brush I got to see fireflies for the very first time. Those are some cool bugs!
Shannon and I got up early Monday morning and she took me to the legendary Southern institution, the Waffle House. Of course I had to try grits. They were better than I expected but not something I'd probably order again. The waffle was delicious! Then we spent a little time shopping at the mall in Raleigh before I had to be at the airport at noon.
It was hard to leave my friend again. I still miss her very much. I am so thankful for a generous Heavenly Father who made it possible for us to spend time together, and to my husband who encouraged me to go and did a great job holding down the fort in my absence.
Erica Tyler Knight March 14
What an amazing idea! But at that point, there was no foreseeable way we could afford my plane fare. When I told Aaron about it, he said, "If you want it, and you feel good about it, then pray for it." So I did. Within 6 weeks, Heavenly Father worked his miracles and I had a plane ticket to Savannah. The next task at hand was to keep the secret from Shannon for 2 months. That was a tough one! I knew I couldn't tell many of our mutual friends here in Washington, for fear that someone would slip on Facebook and let the cat out of the bag. It was a challenge - and by the night before my departure, I had told several friends. They were very supportive and excited and even posted a couple of cover-posts on Facebook so Shannon would never suspect a visit.
Finally, the day arrived. I flew all night Thursday night so I could arrive in Savannah about the same time as Shannon and the girls. I was so stinking excited! The cover story the girls used to get Shannon to the airport was that Suzane's husband asked her to pick up a rental car receipt. Not knowing the airport layout, I planned to meet her at the rental car counters. Suzane came inside and found me and we went out to the car where a completely unsuspecting Shannon was waiting.
(I will insert the video here if I can ever get my computer's hands on it...)
There are no words for that moment. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to catch someone I love so off-guard in such a spectacularly fun way. My cool, dark-and-twisty friend was so emotional. It was wonderful to see her again after a year-and-a-half. Getting to spend that time together in a city as beautiful as Savannah was a real treat.
After checking in at the hotel in the historical district, we spent some time walking through the fun shops down on River Street. It's a very interesting and funky place. There are also a lot of neat shops in the City Market area, and we spent some time browsing them as well. That evening we ate outside at an italian restaurant in the marketplace. As is usually the case when women get together, there were some serious conversations and lots of laughing until my sides ached.
On Saturday we ate breakfast at the hotel. We knew we wanted to have dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant - The Lady and Sons - that evening. We didn't know that the reservations process was a bit unusual. As instructed, we showed up Saturday morning to stand in line to get a reservation for Saturday's dinner. Suzane was a good sport and got us the reservation for 7:00 while we drove around. Then we headed out to the beach.
The first stop was the Tybee Lighthouse. It is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, built in 1773. Beautiful.
Even though it was cloudy, it was still hot, and it was a great day to be at the beach. Unlike here where the beaches are rocks and dark sand and freezing water, the beach there had soft, light sand and the water temperature was 81 degrees. It was wonderful just to lay on the beach and soak up some summer sun (something we haven't had yet here in the NW).
We ate lunch at a cute little beach restaurant/bar. Their sweet potato fries with a balsamic reduction drizzle were fantastic. Their plantains weren't as good as the ones my mother-in-law taught me to make, but they were sweet and tasty. Erica went into the restroom and came out talking about the amazing sea salt scrub in there that left her skin so soft and moisturized. Of course we all had to take turns trying it. Shannon loved it so much she insisted that we stop at a store on the way back to the hotel and try to find some sea salts for her shower. With the four of us having to shower and get to the restaurant to make our reservation, I didn't think we probably had time to find a place. So I told her I had a ziploc in my purse which she could fill with some of the sea salts at the restaurant. We are officially old ladies.
We made it to The Lady and Sons in time for our reservation. It is a really cool old building and had at least 3 levels of dining rooms. It was much bigger than I remembered. The hoe cake and garlic cheese biscuit we got while waiting for our entrees were soooooo gooood. Shannon ordered the chicken pot pie - which was definitely the best choice on the menu and very pretty to boot. The rest of us were a little disappointed in our food, but I was still very glad we went.
On Sunday, we had to head out around noon but Erica really wanted to see the cathedral in town. I'm so glad she did. Along the way we saw some great historical sites and really got to see the beautiful history of the city. In the historic district, the streets are arranged so that there is a little park square in the middle of the four-way intersections. Most had a statue or two and lots of beautiful trees. We happened upon a tour guide telling a group of people about that particular square. In the early days, it was execution square where the hangings would happen. She said there was an urban legend that the Spanish moss that covers all of the big trees in Savannah would not grow in any place where blood had been spilt. Sure enough - we looked up to see that corner of the square had no Spanish moss. True or not, it makes for a great story.
We finally made it to the cathedral. There were signs posted that there was no touring allowed, as mass was in session. The three of us were disappointed and ready to turn back when Shannon went up and opened one of the doors and motioned for us to come inside. We went into one of the back pews and listened as the priest spoke. The interior of the cathedral was breathtaking - the carvings, the stained glass, the mosaics - stunning. And as the priest spoke about the body and blood of Christ, I was reminded how easy it is to feel the Holy Spirit's presence in any place where people are gathered with the intent to worship God. My heart felt peaceful and hopeful. It was such a neat experience.
We had a good time in the car on the way to Shannon's house in North Carolina - good conversation over the four-hour drive.
I couldn't believe how Shannon's kids have grown, and it was wonderful to be able to visit her home. Just like old times - complete with a Mr. Sean special sandwich dinner. Then the whole family went out for ice cream at Sunni Skies. It is this little ice cream shop where they have dozens of flavors of homemade ice cream. I was not brave enough to try Cold Sweat - the infamous hot pepper ice cream, but mine was fantastic. As we sat outside eating our ice cream, in a clearing in the brush I got to see fireflies for the very first time. Those are some cool bugs!
Shannon and I got up early Monday morning and she took me to the legendary Southern institution, the Waffle House. Of course I had to try grits. They were better than I expected but not something I'd probably order again. The waffle was delicious! Then we spent a little time shopping at the mall in Raleigh before I had to be at the airport at noon.
It was hard to leave my friend again. I still miss her very much. I am so thankful for a generous Heavenly Father who made it possible for us to spend time together, and to my husband who encouraged me to go and did a great job holding down the fort in my absence.
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