A Spring Surprise

A few weeks ago, my friend R. invited me and two other friends to join her at Waimea Falls one Saturday for a surprise. Waimea Falls is a park on the North Shore, just across from the famous white sand beach, Waimea Bay. The park is gorgeous -- it's lush and green and, as its name suggests, even boasts a waterfall. Who could refuse an invitation to such a garden paradise? R. was very mysterious about the surprise, which only added to the appeal!

That Saturday R. and Sarah and I met up at the park and walked in together. Madeline accompanied me in the jogger; Jim and Kathleen attended Kathleen's gymnastics class, instead. (Kathleen refers to the class as 'nastics, which amuses me no end.) R. came with her own jogger, although her boys stayed home! I was still in the dark as we made our way through the park, but when we stopped at a table in a part of the park that used to be an ancient village, the surprise became clear. R. unpacked her loaded jogger to treat us to tea!

R. had brought everything we needed to enjoy a special "welcome spring" tea in our tropical paradise. Table linens, china, hot water, Hawaiian teas, and scrumptious food. We had tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, scones, cookies... We never even touched the cheesecake. I'm full just remembering it. And look at how beautifully it was presented!

It was such a sweet surprise. We three friends were able to sit under the tropical canopy, sipping tea, indulging in R.'s tasty treats, and savoring one another's company. In the calm and quiet of the park it felt as though we'd left all the hustle and bustle of our lives behind us. We could truly enjoy the moment. As we sipped and talked, R. explained that the tea party was part of a spring tea competition for a blog she frequents. Sarah and I had to laugh, because we know R. is nothing if not competitive! You can read R.'s version of the day (with more and better photos!) here. When our tea was finished, we packed it all back into R.'s jogger and meandered through the park and up to the waterfall. Madeline (who'd been an absolute sweetheart) fell asleep on the way.

Soon our quiet, laughing, chatting break ended, and we headed our separate ways. But what a lavish treat for us. Everything about it was beautiful and blessed. Thank you, R., not just for tea, but for friendship. I promise to host our next tea!