04/10/2026
**Today is a day of remembrance for me, and for people I love.** ❤️
Today marks 10 years since the passing of someone who was very dear to me — my beautiful friend, Claire.
Twenty-two years ago, we met.
And for so many of those years, Claire was such a huge part of my life.
We met in the early days of motherhood, when our little girls were still in our wombs, and then stepped into motherhood side by side — and very conveniently, lived only streets apart.
And in those early years, there was barely a day we didn't see each other or speak on the phone.
We became each other's home.
Each other's heart.
Each other's sounding board and support.
We looked after each other's kids.
Our lives became woven together.
She was the first person I'd call when something exciting happened and I couldn't wait to share it.
The person I'd call when I was frustrated or upset.
The person I'd call when I felt completely alone in the world.
And I was that person for her.
We had each other.
What really cemented our friendship, though, was our very first mother's group.
She looked like she definitely needed a friend.
We were making coffee and I asked her how she was.
“Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. Yeah, fine.”
And I just looked at her and said…
“It's s**t, isn't it?”
The look of relief on her face said everything.
She told me, “But look at everyone. They're all doing so well, and I don't think I am. My baby doesn't stop crying.”
I said, “That's okay. Mine doesn't sleep.”
And then I said, “You know what? Everyone out there has got their own s**t. They're just not showing it.”
And just like that, we formed a bond.
A friendship based on love, support and honesty.
We could share anything.
And we did.
But our friendship wasn't perfect.
There were times of sweetness and sourness.
Times when we were completely all in and times when we became very absent from each other's lives.
And perhaps that's part of what I've come to understand about friendship.
**Friendships are a little bit like limoncello.** 🍋
Some are sweet.
Some are strong.
Some are refreshing.
Some are a little sour.
Some look beautiful on the outside but may not taste quite as good as you hoped.
Some are best served straight.
Some need a little spritz.
Some are seasonal.
Some you return to time and time again.
And some you may not open for a very long time…
but when you do, somehow, it's fabulous.
Still familiar.
Still meaningful.
Maybe even better than you remembered.
And then there are the friendships where, even after time and distance, something inside you simply knows.
A few days before Claire left this earth, I felt a real pull to see her.
We weren't in close contact at the time, but something in me said, reach out.
So I invited her over.
She came with the girls.
And we spent a beautiful time together.
I didn't know it would be the last time I would see her.
But I am so very grateful that I trusted that feeling.
That I made that call.
That we got to share, one more time, the very thing our friendship had been founded on:
love and support.
I don't think friendships need to be perfect to be precious.
They don't have to look a certain way.
They may change in ways you don't anticipate.
They may not last forever.
Some friendships and those special people simply become part of the story of who we are.
Claire is part of mine.
**Twenty-two years since we met.**
**Ten years since she left.**
And today, I honour her.
I honour the friendship we shared.
I honour the beautiful, messy, funny, honest, complicated thing that friendship can be.
And I honour that little inner knowing that sometimes tells us:
**Reach out.**
**Make the call.**
**Go and see them.**
Because sometimes, we don't know it will be the last time.
And sometimes, we do.
But either way…
Today I raise a glass, as she would have insisted. 🥂
So, Claire…
Cheers to you
To us
To friendship
To life
To loving and learning
To the ups and the downs
To the sweet and the sour
and to knowing that the heart can hold all of it even when someone isn't here to share life with you anymore. ❤️
Because when life gives you lemons…
** make limoncello.** 🍋🥂