After a perfectly timed trip up to the Napa Valley, we found, at the conclusion of our week, that we ended up in town for the going away party for some dear friends we just had the honor of reconnecting with after some 15 years. Neph & Sheila Ricafrente dated in high school and were soon married after. We all graduated from high school together in 1993 and had not seen each other until this past Saturday where we gathered with Tony Blanco and Glenn Casuga (Who were my groomsmen and Best Man in my wedding) for a little food and fellowship. Tonight was Neph and Sheila's going away party and I am overwhelmed with emotion. It is so hard to leave the few friends that had so positively influenced you in the early, more difficult years of your life, yet you so desire to return to the friends that have been there for the latter more recent times and are so encouraging as well. You just wish you could make a balance between them all and just merge the greatest into one accessible wonder of friends.
To Neph and Sheila:
Thank you for your hospitality and after 15 years, welcoming us into your home and lives as if a second never passed. Even though the last time we saw each other prior to this visit, I was flying solo without a clue in my life, you embraced my wife and children as if they have always been apart of me. They were so blessed by your love. We wish you all the best in your move and we are so happy that we'll be able to catch a glimpse into your new life thru FB!! :) We love you dearly and treasure this time that God purposed to reunite us.
To Tony & Glenn:
You influenced me thru the most difficult times of my life of which I have rarely shared. Your friendship thru the years, though barren for the past 10 years, seems to have never failed,...it is as if we were in constant connection even though our voices were silent. You are brothers to me, never forgotten, and always just a thought away. Julie is absolutely right, no one in my past have I ever been so comfortable to be me around than you two. i am so proud of the men you have become and encouraged by the thought of seeing what more is to come your way. When it comes to friends, you both are a needle in a haystack, hard to find, but worth all the effort. I love you both.
i typically do not share too many personal thoughts in this blog, but I figure, well...I should. Our business model is relationship. We get this personal with our clients. It is our heart, our desire and our passion. People are our passion.
Stay tuned for two more posts to come about two more couples (Leslie & Don and Jen and Scott) that we were able to reconnect with during our trip and the blessings of their friendship.
With that said....I have to show some pictures right! Oh and Jeffery...sorry...I had to write a little more on this post....but here are the pics! ;)
Neph & Sheila
(Left to right) Julie, Sheila, Neph, & Glenn
The Clowns, Neph, Me, Glenn.
All the boys, Neph, Damion, Tony & Glenn
What????
