Olivia is just so cool. She gives off this terrific vibe of a sweet, savvy nature--punctuated by a piercing laugh and a "sniffles" face wherein she scrunches up her nose and smiles. But I noticed that she doesn't overuse this particular party trick as most kids might--she has quite a sense of comedic timing in that regard and seems to find moments wherein the face seems particularly amusing and adorable. Even just watching her toddle around, contentedly playing with toys inspired laughter in me because she does so with such a self-assured, relaxed style that if we could hear her inner monologue, it would surely be full of well-placed, witty and amusingly wry commentary.
As I gave Olivia's oh-so-kissable cheeks a final kiss goodbye, it occurred to me that these qualities that I see blooming in her are just those that I have come to love about her parents. Diana has been my friend since the eighth grade and we have always sparked each other's intellect and sophisticated funny bone. Her husband, Frank, can have me giggling non stop with his intelligent humor, always extremely well timed and placed in conversation. This all got me to thinking, that apart from discovering the wonder of genetics in observing my friends children, the truest joy in all of this is having another little human extension of my friends to love.
Another little wonder in this category is my friend Jenn's daughter, Katelyn, whom I first met mere weeks after her birth, nestled in her cozy carriage as her mom and I dined al fresco at Chef Geoff's. Because we live in DC, I've been able to see Katelyn quite often as she's grown, thus allowing me to delight in noticing the small changes in her from one meeting to the next. As we've gone from restaurant to restaurant on our frequent "ladies nights out", I've enjoyed watching Katelyn's sweet self just relaxing in her stroller, huge blue eyes blinking serenely, to her being passed from lap to lap, happily engaging her current companion, to her joining us at the table in her high chair, eating and constantly happy. Her personality is all sunshine and smiles, laughter and liveliness.
I completely see the wonderful qualities of Jenn and her husband Dave manifested in Katelyn. Jenn and Dave are the kind of people with whom you instantly feel comfortable, whose laid back and positive attitudes are infectious and uplifting. When you're around them, you just can't help but enjoy life--and Katelyn inspires just that same zeal. On my first day at my new school in Maryland, in the 8th grade, Jenn was the person who befriended me without a moment's hesitation. And now we have Katelyn, a miniature version of Jenn that exhibits the very same, endearing openness to new people.
We attended Katelyn's first birthday party two weeks ago, and I really felt so happy to be included in the celebration. It is a blessing to have friends that are still so dear to you after many years that you have a presence in each new phase of their life. It adds to the richness of your friendship, another layer to how well you know each other, how much you enrich each others lives. And there's the joy in spending time with the second edition of your friend--bright eyed, adorable, and on their way to becoming a wonderful person of their own. The way I see it, as my friends families grow, so does mine.
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