Eleven Years

 

Exactly 11 years ago today (April 1) Zoli came to NC for the first time. We were all so excited to meet him that day. It's funny, when I decided to start this blog I didn't realize it had been almost exactly 11 years since our first meeting. I knew it was around Easter, but what are the chances that Easter 2015 was on April 5 and Easter 2026 (our first Easter together) is on April 5. I must admit that I had to do some deep diving on Facebook to find pictures of his visit and I can not take credit for all of these. I actually remember this day - which I know doesn't surprise anyone who knows me because my memory is pretty good. 

 

We actually had a breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt and games that Friday (Good Friday). The games were for the kids, but then the adults took their turns too. Including tug of war which I was not exactly dressed for considering I was wearing a skirt, but I have a competitive side so I HAD to participate. The next day we had a big game (or 2 of Kickball). I don't remember much about that, but there is photo evidence of me being there. I don't remember if Zoli and I were on the same team and I don't remember if I played well at all, but I'm sure we had fun. 

Zoli and I are on opposite sides of tug of war.
Zoli is in the striped shirt I am in the red cardigan.

Later during his visit a big group of us went to the beach. I do remember this because it was probably the first time I had talked to Zoli since he had arrived and all I did was invite him to come get ice cream and hang out at the pools at our hotel (others were coming from the house and I wanted to make sure he knew he was welcome) and he did come. It was April at the beach and so it was pretty chilly, but the pools were warm. We did go out on the beach and then in the evening we all hung out and talked and played music at the house where some people from the group were staying. 

I remember taking this picture at the beach. I think this was the first day at the beach and a small group of us went out walking on the beach. I don't think it was planned, it just happened, but I can't really remember. Also if I remember correctly "God is Good" was just written in the sand - we don't know who did it, but he was standing there and I snapped the picture. 

I'm not sure what we are looking at in this picture, but here we are - technically our second picture together, but the first one I am absolutely photo bombing and it is terrible, so we will pretend that on does not exist. 

Singing "There is a Day"
This is the night I recorded him and 
saved it on my phone.