When I was 7 years old my parents shipped me off to sleepaway camp. It was only an hour from home, and for the first two or three summers I only went for two weeks, but those 8 summers were among the absolute best days of my life. The freedom to be who I wanted to be, spending my days with my closest friends (some who I saw every day in school and others who I only saw in camp), getting all dolled up to go to the boys camp on Sunday nights, swaying with linked arms by the campfire, singing songs on Friday nights. The friendships made – that sisterhood – got me through some trying times and has shaped the person I am today. My second summer at camp I was 8 years old, I was outside of my bunk practicing for the talent show with my friend Jaime (we were singing a camp version of Summer of ’69 and to this day I still sing the camp lyrics) when this curly haired girl came up to me and introduced herself. Her name was Amy. Now 30 years later Amy and I are still integral parts of each others lives. We grew up together, laughed and cried together, went through first loves and first breakups, spent weekends together on the NJ shore, celebrated weddings (I cried through hers), and welcomed babies. In fact when my third daughter was born it was Amy who stayed with me in the hospital that first night, and Amy who changed her first diapers. So when Amy called to tell me it was her turn, I was over the moon excited for her. Meet Amy’s first baby, Wesley Joseph. Though he came 6 weeks early and had a bit of a rocky start, when I finally got my hands (and camera) on him I didn’t want to put him down. Old friends are incredibly special, and I’m so lucky that Amy has been an integral part of my life for so many years. Wesley you’re one special little guy, and you totally lucked out in the mom department. xoxo