Rereading Firefly Lane from Kristin Hannah brought back all the reasons I love her books and especially this one.  I thank Beth Winters for introducing me to Firefly Lane and for it being the first of Hannah’s books I read. I was instantly hooked. Beth was so animated and passionate about the book I had to read it and when we went to the library together I checked it out the instant she had it checked in. I couldn’t put it down. I only wish I had the old review from back in 2010 when I first read it.  Beth and I started exchanging books around this time. I’d read something good and give it to her and visa versa.  She’s one of my besties. I met Beth on my first day of college for graphic design and we became instant friends and pretty much inseparable. More often than not the times we spent together were drinking coffee and talking about everything and anything.  Below is a picture of her and her son Drake. I love and miss you, Beth.

I also have Paula Larson, who is another one of my besties to listen to it on audiobook.  And she’s heard it probably several times. Paula and I have had quite a relationship over the years. It has had it’s highs and lows, much like Kate & Tully, and this last year before I moved to Texas we were able to reconnect and make it grow and blossom. The worst thing about moving was leaving her and Beth and their kids behind.  I miss my time alone with Paula, doing each other’s hair, listening to audiobooks, singing to SingStar on the ps2, and getting drunk and laughing and crying.  This is a picture I took of Paula the night she and I and Dayna went to the Mexican restaurant in Rhinelander for Margarita Monday. It was a beautiful night, one of many. I love you Paula and miss you more than you know.

Not only her but Dayna Carlson who I adore and miss too. I got her hooked on Kristin Hannah with I believe Winter Garden or maybe it was Distant Shores, all I know is that I kept talking about it at work and one day and she can contest to this while I was talking about the book it magically appeared on the shelf by us. We both laughed and I think perhaps that’s how she decided to read it. We still talk about books and cooking and our lives. Thank you for coming into my life and being part of it.  The picture below is Dayna from Margarita Monday. I love and miss you, Dayna. 🙂

It started with Firefly Lane for me and I’ve read every one of Hannah’s books except the new one of course which comes out on April 23rd. I think the only bestie of mine to not read it has been Jodi but perhaps one day she’ll also become a fan of Kristin Hannah.  She’s also one of my oldest best friends and I don’t mean in age so don’t take it that way ok Jodi? Besides I’m older. I mean she’s the one I’ve known the longest. We met when I was dating her cousin Matt and back then we didn’t necessarily hang out much but when we got into the same school together yep, we were Kate and Tully too. I challenge her and she challenges me and I’m proud to be one of the three Godmothers to her beautiful twin daughters, Emeri and Eden. I’m not sure what I’ll have to do in order to get her to read this book but even if she doesn’t it won’t change her and me from being besties. This is the only picture that I didn’t take that has been included in this blog. This was taken 2012 on Mother’s day and is Jodi with Eden on the left and Emeri on the right. I love and miss you and the girls!