Yesterday was my 3rd time hosting a special Valentine’s Day party for my friends.
I love February, it’s my birth-month, and also the month of LOVE.
Anyway, during our party, we were all sitting together in my livingroom, talking.
We talked about how friendship is a beautiful thing, and how blessed we are.
Karen brought up the point that it is beautiful now,
but the wonderful part about Christian friendship is that in one hundred years
we’ll all be gone from this earth,
but together again, in heaven ~ along with millions of other friends.
No sin will be there, our relationships will be perfect, complete and whole.
I told everyone that they are welcome to my mansion at any time!
Shanda’s door is always open to all of my friends.
I like the words to the hymn, “Blest be the tie that Binds”
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share each other’s woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
written by John Fawcett 1740-181
I always make a special dinner. This year was chicken cordon bleu with a special cream sauce. Rice, and broccoli, dinner rolls.
I set the table with fiestaware; scarlet, rose, cinnabar, and white.
We filled the glasses with rosy-pink cherry 7-up
All the girls wear red, pink, or white.
We exchange cards and small gifts.
I replaced the family photos that I had in frames, with ones of the ladies.
Everywhere they looked were pictures of us all, from past gatherings.
I made little pretty papers with quotes and ribbon and glitter and scattered them about, too.
I filled a glass canister with valentine m n m’s, 100’s of them.
And a big scarlet fiesta bowl was filled with those little conversation candy hearts.
I bought sweetheart roses, and gave each friend 2 of them, tied with a white satin ribbon.
We had a pretty piano cd playing in the background. (the link is attached to this post)
We always take lots of pictures.
And every year we pull out the same journal (pictured in my last post) and we write in it.
It’s fun to go back and read through the previous year’s records.
After every one left, I sat alone in the dark livingroom, with only the light of the fireplace. I read our journal and thought about my friends. After a group leaves like that, their presence lingers within the walls of a home for a while, and that is what I was feeling. I could still see Cathi’s stricken face as she told us of a friend of hers who had just suffered pain and loss, I could hear my friend Kathy’s familiar and comforting voice (we talk almost every day), I could hear the laughter, hear Jen busily cleaning up my kitchen for me, feel the quiet smiles and the warmth. My heart aches with happiness when I think of the friendship God has shown me through these women, and from all of my other friends— YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
I thank God for you and I love you all very much.
Quotes from the journal:
“My favorite part was reading all the friendship quotes around the table” ~ Kathy, who came at 1:30 to help me put everything together. I could not have done it without her help.
“I’m so blessed to have a great group of friends, each of you are special for different reasons” ~ Jen
“I refrained from telling my teapot story once again, although I did offer” ~ Cathi
“I ate one cupcake too many! I just know that I am so blessed to call everyone here friend.” ~ Trish
“I am so thankful for all the love, encouragement, wisdom, different points of view–I have grown in Christ because of that–from each one of you.” ~ Bridgette
“The profundity of our fellowship here is impressed upon my mind more deeply each year.” ~ Karen
“I have been so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family” ~ Deanna
“It was a blessing to be around so many friends and just be able to talk” ~ Suzanne
“I cannot wait til next year!” ~ Suzanne again. 
Good to be Home 
I was anxious to hear about your day, and see the photos. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
I love how all the pictures turned out. I had such a lovely time. It is definitely one of the highlights of the year. š I love how our hugging picture turned out. I laughed when I saw it and had to show Josh and tell him that it took quite awhile to get that picture “just so.”And that picture of Karen is perfect. You should give it frame it for her to give to her hubby for Valentine’s Day. We are definitely blessed with genuine Christian friends.
What a lovely group of gals! Sounds like everyone had a wonderful and blessed time! Great pictures and great memories!!
Hope the little one is feeling better!
Suz
Beautiful! This post warms my heart. I’m so glad that you had such a lovely evening.
Can you share what you did to make it special? I am started a women’s group and I am trying to collect ideas…What a wonderful special night sharing Blessings, Robin
I loved this! It is inspiring me to have a friendship party too. You are so blessed to have these beautiful ladies in your life as they are to have you in theirs. š
Looks like so much fun! What a wonderful party and a great idea! February is a wonderful month! Thanks for the inspiration!
We had Sunday dinner guests today and sang “Blest Be The Tie” before thanks was returned at the table ~ it was also sang at our wedding, my parents’ wedding and at the weddings of all of our children ~
That is just so cool….Looks like you worked hard with the details but so well worth it! Special times you will never forget.
Oh man, I am just grinning after looking at these. I had such a marvelous time last night, thanks so much for opening your home to us. I’m going to get my pictures posted tonight, too. That one of you and Cathi had me laughing so hard, because of how hard it was for us to take it LOL I love you, and I’m so glad to call you friend. š
I’m very touched by this! It makes me wish I could host something similar. What a great idea! I will probably borrow some of your fabulous party ideas.
~C
How beautiful… what a blessing.
I loved what you shared on this post! All the photo’s were great and what a blessing you are to them and them to you. Lots of love, Lish
That just makes me want to get together with friends and just laugh and enjoy each other’s company. It looks like y’all had a wonderful time!
Sounds like you all has a great time. I was sorry that I missed it ths year (I too look forward to the party every year)! Well have a great day love ya- sis
what a beautiful special time! You are inspiring me to perhaps have a little party of my own =)
I think one of God’s greatest gifts is laughter among friends and it looks like there was much laughter! It even gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.
I am toying with the idea of having a 2nd annual party this year with the two girls from the residency that are in our graduation class. I don’t know if I should open it up or not…that would mean more work which I’m not sure I want…lol. Your party is lovely and I wish I lived nearby so I could come!
That sounds like a great time!! Your friends are very lucky to have you do that. It’s very nice that you can do that with your friends. The pictures turned out great!
What a lovely idea! It looks like you girls had lots of fun. God is so wonderful bringing friends into our lives to share our journeys with. ā¤ Have a BLESSED week, Shanda!
I know God doesn’t want us to envy one another, but I’m pea green with envy and wish I could have a been a part of your lovely group! Maybe because I’m so truly happy for you for having found such wonderful ladies to share you life, I’m only “half” pea green!Your party ideas were wildly creative, only to be topped by the super friends you have accumulated! Congrats on a successful get-together! It’s easy being your friend. You’re a real doll!
Shan-what a memorable and heart touching time withe your closest friends. I loved seeing your pictures and reading your quotes. I am so happy that it turned out so well. Beautiful, just beautiful.
What blessings friends are!! What a lovely post with lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing. š
Looks nice! Wish we could have the same thing here in France! I don’t remember my American host families organized such a day at their homes. Is it common to organize such a dinner or day between friends in the States? delphine
What a beautiful group and a beautiful post. Where was the rest of your family while this party was happening?
Looks like fun — glad you had a great time.
What a wonderful idea and celebration. You are so creative. A lovely group to gather with. So lovely! blessings and love, M
Oh Shanda, my favorite part of this whole post is the thought that friendships are good here but they are nothing compared to what they will be in heaven. I love my friends, the women in my life are uplifting and gracious and wonderful, but that is just a speck of what is to come. Thank you and thank you to your friend that mentioned that at your party. I’ll be thinking on that all day!
Looks like you had a wonderful time!!! We have our sweetheart banquet friday the 15th this year…but this really sounds like a great idea just for the “girls”!!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!! blessings.
Reading all the little details you put together for this party, looking at the photos, and knowing the truth of that dear hymn made me almost cry with quiet joy.
Friends loveth at all times and sticketh closer than sisters. (or something like that) š Looks like your party went just as you planned it. What fun!
Bridgette’s was my favorite. What a lovely group of women. How did you think of all that to do? Where did you find the time? What a wonderful gift you gave each one of them. It is clear God blesses is you so because you bless others so.
Thank you so much for sharing your post!!! The pics say it all. Hope you have a great day!!! Lisa
Looks like you guys had a great time. I miss you guys so much! It has been real hard to be away from such an awesome group of friends! š¦ I am glad you share those special times with us. Miss you! hugs
what a beautiful time….I see the laughter and love. You are an inspiration and a blessing! Jenny
It is so nice how you have made this a tradition! You put so much thought into it, you had all of the elements that make for a great time out with the girls! Beauty, good food, thoughtfulness, candy! , Music, conversation, gifts… I could go for some of that right now!!! LOL! You are an amazing homemaker and friend!
This was at the bottom of your latest post as a ‘suggested post’. I’m pretty sure this is the very first blog post of yours that I ever read…but I can no longer see the pics to be sure. š¦ I just remember I was blown away by your creativity, the beautiful photos, your writing style…all of it…and here I am, 12 years later…still hooked. š XOXO
you are so encouraging to me, and let me tell you something……it’s been very needful lately. I love you. Keep being you.
…and those words encourage me more than I can convey. I just want to be me. š …the ME that God made me to be. I want everyone to be free to be themselves, free of judgment, criticism, etc.
I hope God keeps sending people to encourage you. It’s amazing how He works that way when we need it the most. š
I love you, too, dear friend.