We’ve moved so much in the 8 (almost 9!) years of our marriage that we’ve never settled down and made a really serious effort to make friends. Last year that all changed and I am now blessed with some of the best and most encouraging friends I’ve ever had. (And yes, I’m getting all misty-eyed because 2009 was an awesome year for new friendships!) It is a wonderful feeling to know that I can call on any of them to help me out in a pinch, or just cry happy tears together, or squeal over new movies like teenagers, or any one of a million things I’ve been missing for a long time.
But I’ll be brutally honest…my house was very neglected because when you’ve spent such a long time without friends or family who come over or visit often, it’s hard to make the effort to keep it neat. It’s easier to just throw up your hands and say “Well, nobody see it but us, anyway!” and simply allow it to get worse and worse. It wasn’t at hoarder level yet but it was definitely something I would have been embarrassed by if anyone had just dropped by and expected to hang out!
All that changed when my mom decided to come visit for Christmas. After finals were over I started straightening and cleaning like a madwoman and while my house still isn’t perfect (my office is full of *stuff* that needs to be gone through and/or gotten rid of and my bedroom is a wreck and I would die if anyone went in there right now) but it’s presentable. Which made me decide I needed to host a gathering. And I decided this on Christmas Day. And decided to have it today…which gave me exactly one week to prepare.
I was a little bit (um, make that a LOT) stressed, but it went off very well. There were 30 people (kids and adults) in my house this evening, playing, eating, talking, laughing…and it was fun. There were definitely moments where I felt overwhelmed by it, but those aforementioned friends helped me hold it together. They brought food, they made me laugh, they held my baby while I was trying to deal with other things, and they even cleaned my kitchen and made sure all of the toys got picked up before they left. It was a great way to start 2010, and it’s made me realize that with a house that’s being regularly maintained I can do stuff like this.
I don’t like resolutions because I don’t stick to them, but I’m making it a goal to invite someone over at least once a week. Whether it’s a playdate, a movie night, dinner, or whatever I can come up with…because tonight made me happy and it reminded me of how blessed I am to have this home and these friends. Plus it will keep me motivated to make sure my house is neat and maintained. It’s a win-win!
