The happiest of happy surprises

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.