A Special Kind of Friendship

When Jason and I got married in November 2011, we knew we wanted to do a honeymoon right away and we knew we wanted to go somewhere tropical. With the help of our friend/travel agent we booked a week long vacation in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the El Dorado Casitas Royale. We figured our honeymoon would be a nice relaxing week filled with new husband and wife time. And while it was, it was also SO SO SO much more. 

The very first night of our trip {Monday, November 7, 2011 to be exact} we were walking along the beach after dinner, trying to find our way back to our casita. It started to pour rain and we sought cover under a tiny little beach bar. There was a larger group of people sitting across from us, whom, after a few drinks we learned were all on their honeymoon and had all met that night. All it took was a massive gust of wind shooting the rain horizontal and all of us were ducked behind the bar. It was at this moment Jason and I officially met Billy & Jackie. 

They were our age. They were married the same day as us. AND, they lived in Iowa - just across the border of all places. This is going to sound cheesy, but we hit it off immediately. The four of us just clicked and had a blast. We ended up hanging out with Billy & Jackie every day {at some point} for the rest of the trip. I'm sure to some it seems super strange to spend so much time with strangers on your honeymoon but it truly made our honeymoon as amazingly fun as it was. Jason and I were able to have our date nights, excursions and newlywed time, and then we'd meet up with Billy & Jackie later in the evening...where hilarity would ensue. Again - super cheesy - but we all bonded so fast that we were heartbroken when it was time to say goodbye.

I don't know if it was fate, geography or just the amazing friendship we were able to build in 7 days, but we've managed to get together twice a year every year since. Well, that first year we only got together once because it turns out I was pregnant when they came to visit and didn't know it. WHOOPS! We label our get togethers with Spanish numbers as an ode to our meeting place and are always planning the next time before the current time is over. 

Part Cinco just took place a couple of weeks ago! Jason and I made our way down to Iowa early on a Friday morning so we could squeeze in as much time with our "honeymoon friends" as possible. Billy & Jackie just built a new home which is absolutely gorgeous and we were so happy to be able to see it. We spent Friday on the boat, stayed up way too late, drank way too much, the boys golfed on Saturday, we went to a Hawkeye bar, went to a carnival, created about 10 more inside jokes, laughed more than ever and as always had an amazing time.

These two are so special to us and it makes me so happy that we've made the effort to stay in touch and see each other on a somewhat regular basis. When we get together it's like no time has passed, there's never an awkward moment and all we do is laugh.


Now I just wait for part seis!