Old Friends

Every once in while I run across somebody I haven't seen in a while and I get an opportunity to catch up.
That happened a few weeks ago.
I saw a friend I hadn't seen in at least 7 years.
Maybe longer.
Not since we moved.
She lives 60 miles away now. Or rather, we do.
But we were in the area.
She hadn't changed a bit.
Her family had grown, though...she had six kids instead of the three I last saw her with! But still, she looked the same. Doesn't seem fair...
And she was wearing a swimsuit at the time!
Our kids had reunited.
Her boy had proposed to my girl at age 4...after a deep friendship of 2 years. :) They remained close friends until 2nd grade when we moved.
He cried. She pouted. They hadn't seen each other since.
Then, we all ran into each other 3 weeks ago.
Today, Bridgette and I stopped in at their house for lunch when we were in the area visiting my mom. We hadn't been to that house for 7 years.
He was her first boyfriend at age 4.
And now they're 14, and he is her boyfriend once again.
Since we are strict parents (both sets), and the moms are in the same room as them, this being their first meeting in 7 years, he is less her "boyfriend" and mostly her "BOY-friend" (as in male friend), but it is an innocent, sweet thing we are chuckling over, she and I - the moms.
Today the kids played video games, and read books while the other five younger siblings of his zoomed in and out - coloring and hanging and asking and dancing and clamoring for attention. It didn't matter. It was innocent and sweet. It was more a "play date" for everyone involved.
Whew!
We are strict. And there are rules. His Dad's rule: He can't even SHOW her his bedroom. Our agreed upon rule: Never alone. No touching.

And the moms got to catch up on seven years of life.
And there's been so much life that's happened in seven years.
Not just for me.
For both of us.
And it's good to realize that sometimes friends remain friends no matter the distance and time spent apart.
Hearts just aren't aware of time or space.