We've Been Together Now for 30 Years

Well, we haven't actually BEEN together, but we have known each other for 30 years since Chris taught our younger son when she was a very new teacher. She is on the left as you look at the photograph - and I am on the right. Not a brilliant photograph as I still can't quite get the hang of holding my iPhone at arm's length, but a good reminder of our day together in Bath.

I remember meeting Chris for the first time at a Parents' Evening and we just "clicked". She had had to discipline our son, as he was not doing all he should in class, so she had stopped him playing football to his utter dismay, but we were completely in agreement with how she had dealt with the situation - and I have to say it soon exercised his mind so that he worked very much better the next day!

We used to meet at school and occasionally at church, and have kept in touch over the years. Then Chris and her husband moved away, and a distant friendship continued. However, with the advent of Facebook, our friendship has blossomed and we have now become firm friends and have met up several times.

Although Chris lives in Devon and I live in Wiltshire, we decided to meet in Bath so I travelled down on the train and she drove up. We had our first coffee and chat as soon as we met, which took quite a long time - well they were large cups of coffee! We then went for a delicious lunch at De Muths, a vegetarian restaurant, where we chatted some more with the family with whom we shared a table.

I used to work in Bath, so called in to see a couple of colleagues, then Chris and I had a little wander, followed by more liquid refreshment - tea and coffee, I hasten to add - which we needed by then because we had talked so much!

We talked about everything and anything - and had a wonderful day together, so thanks Chris - we must do it again soon.

"A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow."
William Shakespeare