Our plan started months ago – I would be in NYC with my family and Emily would meet us there with hers, but we wouldn’t tell any of the children.
There were so many times one of us would almost slip up as the trip got closer, we were both BUSTING to share the exciting news with our little girls, who hadn’t seen each other in over a year.
We were just as excited to see each other.
But we held strong, not even mentioning there was a surprise in store.
Neither of the girls had ANY idea – none of the kids did.
The morning of, we were texting constantly, keeping track of their progress and our whereabouts.
FINALLY, the time arrived!
I told her to text me when she got to our block.
As soon as I got the news, I innocently asked Anna if she would come outside with me for a photo.
Jeff manned the camera, and I positioned us so that Emily’s family would come up behind us.
As she sidled up alongside us, she asked, “Can you take a picture of us too?”
And that’s when the hugs and squeals and laughs began, and the missing ended.
And of course, being the dorks we are, we couldn’t help but croon to each other, “REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOOOOOOD.”
The girls were like two strips of velcro – attached at the forehead and hip from the moment they were back together.
So were we all, really…
These people are family. Ups and downs and distance never seem to matter for long.
Two days in the city together over the holiday was completely magic.
SO grateful for this time together.
Pure joy on all your faces! I’m happy for you all. :)
:) This makes me happy! Great job putting it together, Tara!
this is awesome!! the facial expressions throughout the series are priceless!! :)
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wow that’s so cool. I love capturing moments of surprise the expressions are awesome.
Oh, this makes me so happy!! How awesome that you were able to pull this off!!!
LOVE!!!!
total bliss! i am crying the happiest of tears
Tears, happy happy tears for you and your kids!
beautiful story.
goosebumps + happy tears. all the way.
That is just so, so fun!!!!!!!!
So sweet!!!
this gave me goosebumps.
what a special memory and such a gift your friendship is!
:)
How wool is that ! These girls are lucky that their mom prepared them such a nice surprise. We can feel the emotions !
aww, those pictures make my heart smile!
Tears in my eyes.
OMIGOSH this whole story brings tears to my eyes! I LOVE that you did this fun thing and kept a secret of it. So cool. Lovely and lucky to have family/friends. We have those too and its awesome for us and our kids ; ). You are an awesome mom.
Those pictures make me so happy!!! What a wonderful surprise and I’m so happy you all had such a great visit together.
Oh my goodness…how many times can I possibly watch this?! What a gift to each other and to your families. Unbelievably cool.
this brought me pure heartfelt joy for all of you, seriously, that’s MAGIC tara! i Love it! you are so blessed to have each other in this world!
much love,
tara
wow. what a special moment for all of you
This makes my heart happy!
Gaaa…emotional me..I have tear stains on my cheeks. I love this so much. So so much. xo
That is fabulous! Doesn’t get any better than that! Thanks for sharing! :)
seriously choking back tears. i am so so happy you got to spend time together….all of you… LOVE.
oh, I got chills!!! what an amazing surprise…and what a creative idea to be sure to photograph the moment :) ahh! love! I keep staring at this picture sequence, it truly captures the happiness. BAH!
Happy for seeing to of my favorite bloggers together at last !!!
Moments like this will never be forgotten !!!
So happy for both of you !!!
this made me cry…. xxxx
oohhh how exciting!! Tears!! so happy for you guys!!! sniff sniff!!!
THIS is the BEST thing I have EVER seen! I live far away from my bestie’s and families and now i can hardly breath thinking of doing something like this in the future! YOU are the Best! The BEST!
that makes my heart happy :)
How did you not all cry? Jeez, Louise…that was one emotional reunion (for me, and I wasn’t even there!). What a wonderful surprise. I’m so glad you have pictures to share. Thank you.
so delightfully delicious! i was feeling the anticipation as they walked up behind you!!!
beautiful!!! tears are streaming down my cheeks!!! such a tender moment!
I know none of you. But after reading both of your blogs for years I’m here in my comfy chair in Michigan crying tears of joy for you all! That’s the good stuff life is made of.
being a military family and separated from best friends every couple years, your surprise and photos has me in tears. we do our best to keep the kids connected via phone and skype but nothing like an in-person visit. so, so special. i’m so very happy your families got to do that!!
happy holidays sweet friend!!
xo
deb
Oh how sweet! And what a joy in NYC!
How fun!!
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes! I feel silly and I read so many other comments who had the same response! ;-)
I am sitting her BAWLING! What an amazing surprise for the kids who “just happened to run into your friends in the middle of NYC”!
I’ve watched this like 10 times now, and nearly cried twice and I don’t eve know you personally – what a beautiful moment!
i’m thinking about how the two of you met and how this sweet love affair almost never happened. i’m so glad that you guys have each other…far apart and all. such fun pictures!!! made me smile today! :)
this made me CRY! i want an old-friend reunion too!
That is so fantastic! Great surprise. Everyone’s expression is so fun. Great job keeping it a secret.
is it weird that this is making me teary eyed? so happy you got to spend time with good friends who are family in every sense of the word.
OMG! Seriously touching. I can’t believe how weepy it made me. What a great idea!
Oh wow what a beautiful moment I am all teary eyed!
this made me miss my best friend so much.
and it made CRY!
how special and wonderful and perfectly captured!!
How can you not love this GIF? So so awesome. :) You should totally make them into a giant collage print for Anna’s wall!
seriously, i think the best picture is of banjo in his stroller saying “what the heck is going on around here”!!
what a fun reunion!!
xo, cindy