Growing Pains

There's an episode of Growing Pains where the egocentric Mike Seaver stays home sick from school. His mind is blown when he sees the school bus drive by and drop his neighbors off. His father says, "Yes, Mike, life goes on when you are not there." Well, crap. Life does go on when I'm not there. I love my friends and do realize that life goes on without me; it's just not supposed to be fun without me. I say this 97% as a joke and 3% seriously. I know my friends will have fun without me, they're just not suppose to have fun together without me. I was feeling a little lonely the other day and, of course, my poor husband got the brunt of my bad attitude. Well, that evening my friend FaceTimed me! I was just getting to go for a run, but a run can wait for a friend! I quickly answered with great excitement to see the face of my friend. He answered me back then I heard shouts of, "Hi, Kate!!!" I was so pumped! The gang was all there shouting hello to me! Wait...the whole gang was together having fun and I wasn't there? *insert wide eyed emoji* I felt like I was missing out on something amazing, because let's face it, when this group gets together it is nothing short of, dare I say, "epic". They all looked great! I loved seeing their faces and hearing them laugh as we joked around for those 40 minutes. After I hung up I felt rejuvenated and excited. I missed them as individuals and as a whole group. Several days later, I learned that half of the group was going on a trip together. Oh, the jealousy that flashed in my soul for a brief moment. I had to give myself a reality check. "Kate, 1) you don't live remotely close to them or where they are going. 2) You have two kids. It would cost you just as much in childcare. 3) You do not have to be apart of everything, they will NOT forget you. I think for any long distance relationship that is the biggest fear, being forgotten. Just to clarify: I love my friends and am uber pumped to hear about their vacations or nights out with each other. I quickly got over the jealousy, but it was a natural first reaction. I at times wish I could be put on FaceTime, set on a shelf, and simply just watch the hilarity that I know takes place!