Day 22 - 29: Ireland

I knew eight days wouldn't be enough. Not with nearly three years of lost time to make up for.

The last time the Grahams and Klaasens were together in one place was when Tarrin was down in South Africa in February and March of 2016. Sam turned one during that trip. Isla and Zac were too little to really make friends, and Luke was still a wee baby. I only had two children!

As a rule I always book overseas holidays for as long as possible. When you consider how long it takes to save, and how much it costs to get visas and flights, it just isn't worth it any other way. Coming to the UK has been great in that have always been able to do three visits in one, still, it's hard to break the time up conveniently for everyone. And that's how we landed up with (only) eight days in Ireland.

We arrived on New Year's Day morning after a pretty early drive to the airport (thanks to Aunty Lynne). Karl met us at the airport and we head straight to The Glens with one purpose in mind: to soak in every second of being there. I deliberately left my iPad and laptop behind (now my work is behind, but anyway), and made a point of using my phone only to capture some memories. Seeing Tarrin when we arrived was like being transported back into time; to 2016 right where we left off.

The one thing we (the adults) were a little worried about was how the kids were going to hit it off. Just because parents are great friends doesn't always mean the kids will be - especially if you only see each other every couple years. But we shouldn't have been concerned; the kids welcomed each other into their space, and got on so well - making breakfast for each other in the morning, playing all day, and flooding the bathroom together at night.

We spent the next week catching up, building new bonds, and making more memories. We had a picnic on the beach (yes, in Ireland, in the middle of winter); we walked to the park; we had a nature treasure hunt on a neighbour's farm. The days were full of family adventure, and the nights of adult conversation, movies, boardgames and puzzles over wine and good cheese.

The thing I love most about the Grahams is how effortlessly we do life together. Tarrin and I have been friends for 12+ years now, and we would still make the effort to reconnect if that were all we had; but the truth is, we all connect. Andel and Karl connect. The kids connect. We all just fit. And that's what makes leaving so hard every time.

The airport goodbye was sad. There were long hugs and many tears. I was grateful for the distraction of getting a family of five past security and through the flight. But on the dark and quiet drive back to Norfolk it all caught up with me, as I knew it would, and my heart is sore.

It's no secret, for years we have longed - cried - to be closer to each other to be able to do more of the everyday life together - to navigate the journey of marriage and family; to be part of the village that raises our children. Truthfully, I still do. I am grateful, though, that despite the distance, and regardless of the time, that special something remains; the something that turns friends like these into family.

Packing up the dreams God planted 

In the fertile soil of you

Can't believe the hopes He's granted

Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone

'Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever

If the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

'Cause the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long

To live as friends

With the faith and love God's given

Springing from the hope we know

We will pray the joy you'll live it

Is the strength that now you show

And we'll keep you close as always 

It won't even seem you've gone

'Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

~ Michael W. Smith ~