I'm still celebrating my 60th birthday which was in May. And old friend of mine, Lorraine, invited us down to her place on Oak Island, NC in 2 weeks to celebrate our 60th birthdays together. There are 3 of us who have been friends for 32+ years. We met each other when our kids were pre-school so I guess that makes it more like 29 years. Mary is 7 days younger than me. Anyway, I decided to make her this thank you card since we're staying at her place for 3 nights. I can't wait to go as she lives only 45 minutes from Sunset Beach, which is where a mailbox named Kindred Spirits lies in the middle of the sand, in the middle of nowhere. You have to park at Sunset Beach and walk a mile & 1/2 each way to get to this mailbox. The man who put this mailbox there did it way back in 1978 (I think) and he has notebooks in it where people come from all over the US and write their most deepest thoughts. Nicholas Sparks has written about it in his book "Every Breath" (I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan) and I rented the library book yesterday and plan to sit on the bench next to the mailbox pretending to read his book. I read the book when it first came out in 2018 but I plan to read it again because I can't remember it from way back then. Now to think about what to write in that notebook in the mailbox. I might write about our 32+ year friendship of 4 of us (one of our friends, Robin, passed away 15 years ago from breast cancer) and we promised to always remain friends even after Robin had passed away and we have.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42928
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 9:49 AM
First, I love your card. It's lovely and I am sure your friend will appreciate it. Second, a very happy birthday. I remember how I approached 60 with hesitation and now that is in my rearview and life goes on. It really is what you make of it. I enjoyed hearing about your friends of many years and that mailbox. I will have to read more about that soon. Happy travels.
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: May 18, 2004 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 37125
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 9:51 AM
This lovely beachy card caught my eye right away, and then I read your story. A couple of tears were shed, as this reminds me so much of my two best friends (since we were 10 and we are now 72!). I also am quite enchanted by the mailbox in the middle of a beach for placing heartfelt thoughts! I hope you have a wonderful time reconnecting with your dear friends.
------------------------------ Claudia Splitcoast Fan Club Member
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Wayland MA Posts: 105288
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 10:36 AM
Wonderful card for her. How wonderful to have friends for all these years. Alas, as I got older (really old!), I became the LAST of the group of friends. Enjoy your celebration of birthdays!!
------------------------------ Anne HarmonFS154, QFTD58, PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER (photo of our Great Granddaughter Elise, just 6 months old) and me, even older.
Registered: August 30, 2006 Location: Saugus, Massachusetts Posts: 65294
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 10:42 AM
What a great story and a wonderful vacation/gathering for you and your friends - thanks for sharing that link - Your card shows a beautiful tropical beach - a lovely thankyou for your friend.
------------------------------ Julia Aston Proud member of SCS Fan Club and Dirty Dozen Alumni, former DT member on Color Challenge My Blog
Registered: April 6, 2009 Location: Weyers Cave, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley Posts: 31237
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 12:28 PM
What a beautiful beach scene, Love the sailboat! Happy Birthday to each of you! I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time together! How fun.
*I have read every single book from Nicholas Sparks and I'm not getting rid of any of them either. "Every Breath" was one of my favorites! I like watching the movies made from his books as well, but they are never as good as reading the novels~
------------------------------ ~Roberta
�Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.�
― Lou Holtz
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50730
Thu, Jul 06, 2023 @ 12:59 PM
What a fabulous card...those palm trees are especially awesome! I loved your write up about your upcoming celebration with your friend...it'll be such a fun time. The kindred spirit mailbox sounds amazing...I'm sure you'll find just the right words for your notebook entry.