My Personal Shopper

This is my dear friend, Robin. We have known each other for over ten years. We worked together at the YMCA, where we both taught exercise classes. I would go to her step class, she would come to my BodyPump class; we would go out for coffee. Her son, Daniel, and my daughter, Katie, were in the same preschool class. For the past several years, we have walked three times a week in the park, sharing stories about our families and our homes and our unending quest to lose weight. We have laughed together and cried together. She is like the sister I never had.

Last week, Robin was on jury duty, and visited a nearby antiques store on her lunch hour where she saw some things she knew I would love. She sent me a pix message and asked if I wanted her to buy them for me.

Robin is such a sweetheart, and I joke that she is becoming my own personal shopper.






In the past, I've told you other stories about my dear friend. We have been on an almost mythical quest these past few months to scour every thrift store, antiques store and flea market in New Jersey. (We have also visited the majority of Homegoods and TJMaxx stores in northern and central New Jersey, but that's another story.) Why do we do this? Because we're insane, of course. Really, it's probably because we love to decorate, we love a bargain, and we love old things.

Actually, Robin is a rather new convert to antiques stores. She started to get curious about them after witnessing my insanity first hand. Now, she is the one who is always finding new places to explore. I feel as though I have created a monster. (But a really sweet one, Robin. Truly. Luv ya!)

But I may lose her soon. Robin's husband, Ken, wants to move to a town about 40 minutes away. I know that doesn't sound so far, but right now it seems like another country to me. We won't be able to walk in the park three times a week with Rosie, her Jack Russell. How can I walk without Robin and Rosie? I'll end up staying home, eating everything in sight, and gaining 400 lbs.

We won't be able to just pop in to each other's houses, to see how her latest renovations look, or view my new thrift shop find. Robin and Ken have been renovating their house over the past year or two, and it's truly beautiful. Maybe she will let me show you some pictures here. But how can they bear to leave it now, just when it's exactly how they want it?

I know we'll still talk on the phone, and see each other once in awhile. And I know she will love decorating a new house. Heck, maybe I'll even get a chance to shop for her. I can be a personal shopper, too.

But I know it won't be the same. And I hate that. Don't go, Robin!