Meeting Aidan...

Jason and Diana were friends with DW in college so I didn't really have super high expectations for friendship when I met them for the first time at a restaurant in Memphis called Bosco's. I kinda expected it to be a casual, one time thing...you know, Dusty just getting back in touch with some college friends (and co-workers) who just happened to live in the same city as us. Little did I know that The Bradfords would become two of our closest friends in the world...you know, the "Lifer" kind where you see yourself doing family vacations together and catch yourself planning to marry your children off to one another. And that's before you even have children...

Well, 4 months ago, our first addition to the family decided to join us: Aidan Holland Bradford...and let me tell you, this little guy is going to be a heart breaker! He's got little apple cheeks and full lips, precious little eyes shaped like almonds...and that sweet little grin!? Can you tell I'm in love?

Me and my honorary nephew, Aidan:

Amy, Aidan, & Diana...

by the way, his name is an anagram of her name. Cool huh?

...only missing DW!

Jason went on Daddy-duty all day Saturday so that Diana and I could go to the outlet mall and then to see Fame that evening. Since both of us are major So You Think You Can Dance fans, we were both hoping that this movie would just blow us away, but I've got to say...it fell a little flat for me. Well, EXCEPT for the character that Asher Books played...I must say, the second that he opened his mouth and the first soft, sexy note came out...I became a major fan! Diana kept laughing because she said I was acting like a total cougar! ha! How sad is it that I'm now old enough that if I drool a little over a 21 year old actor, I'm now bordering on pedophilia?! For the love, the child was born in 1988! Ah!!! That's almost a 90's birthday!

Rewinding a little, when I was at the outlet mall, I found a gorgeous little double drop necklace that both Diana and I ooohed and ahhhed over. There was only one and I ended up buying it, but when we got home and Diana immediately jumped on the internet to search high and low for one, I knew I loved it far less than she loved it and offered that she could just keep it. At first, she was hesitant, but when she finally broke down and said, "Well, let me just try it on for a sec..." I knew she'd probably cave soon. Jason joked, "What she's going to do is wear it out tonight and see if it gets any compliments...and if it does, it's a keeper." I didn't think another thing about the necklace until Diana and I are walking side by side in a bookstore and a little girl about the age of 9 walks in front of us, looks directly at Diana, and says, "I reaaaallllly like your necklace." Diana replies, "Thanks!" and I bite my lip long enough for the little girl to walk away before cracking up laughing. Jason looks back and says, "Told you!" and heads for the magazine section while Diana and I keep laughing about the fact that she didn't just say she liked the necklace, she REALLY liked the necklace. :-)

Little moments like that filled up our time together...great conversations, lots of laughs, and quality time that I had to soak up with all three of them since my time there felt way too short. How is it that the happy moments seem to fly by when you want them to last indefinitely? In fact, we tried to prolong those moments so much so that I ended up having to run for my plane, something I've sworn in the past I would never do! Oh well, at least I made it and got in my cardio!

Bradfords, I miss ya'll already!