Our friends left today. I didn’t sleep well last night, thinking about them leaving and not wanting to sleep through my early alarm to get them to the airport on time. There was no need to worry. I woke up before the bell went off, and we had plenty of time for last minute hugs and kisses.

It was sad to see them go after 14 days together. It was also ok for them to go back home. There was that swirl again of yin and yang. Happy and sad. Ok and not so ok. It’s how life works, and slowly I feel like I’m getting the hang of this part of it at least. I understand it and flowed with it, and transitioned more quickly than usual. Knowing we’ll see them again in 4 months helped a lot. It provided hope and anticipation that filled the gap of sadness and emptiness, looking forward. It also helped that we had dinner plans with our friends in Amsterdam tonight.

After doing several loads of laundry, relaxing and reading a bit, the kids and I ventured out to the Friday market for some true Dutch treats, before shopping for appetizer fixins’.

Frites with sate sauce and one order with fritesaus.

The other little one chose a hot, freshly made stroopwaafel.

It’s still freezing outside! I can’t wait for spring to arrive!!