Car A to Car B

This past weekend, I took a quick overnight trip to Chattanooga with my OPCs. What's an OPC you ask? Well, let me explain...

OPC stands for Overly Popular Chicks. Now, lest you think that we're a haughty crew, let me 'splain. We originally were OMCs - Old Maid Confidants - but after two of the first foursome married, that had to change. The thread that bonded us - Christie, Amy, Tracy, and I - was two-fold. We all had been at our church since birth (or before) or our families' heritage was rooted deep there. And, we had an uncanny ability to make friends with the friendless. In the past few years, we've added a fifth - Beth. I'd like to clarify that she is still in a pledging process, and has yet to fulfill her tasks. But, like us, Beth fits perfectly the definition of an OPC.

To easily describe us, we are like Steel Magnolias meets Designing Women. We laugh, we cry, we're opinionated. And no topic is off limits. There is something ever so comforting about friends that know your history and still love you.

Now that we're all going in multiple directions and leading busy lives, trying to find a time to get away is tough. Factor in Tracy's south Georgia location and children, it gets trickier. But, months ago we decided to meet halfway in Chattanooga for an overnighter of fun and laughs. Christie, Amy, Beth and I headed down Friday morning while Tracy headed up, tracking us every step of the way. Things could get a little tense if we were behind schedule. When times like that arise, we turn to Christie. She adds the calming, comic relief we need. The next time she called to report in, she opened with "Car A to Car B" and all was well. Road trips are always fun. I tend to think that even if your destination isn't what it's cracked up to be, the road trip makes up for it. If only walls of cars could talk....

We stayed at Holiday Inn Express (which means we now can attest to be any occupation) in one of their deluxe suites. Not bad for $25 a person. It came complete with a microwave and fridge, which served us well for our 48-hour stay. Tracy's Mom, Carol, is an expert baker and caterer and makes cakes to die for. Beth decided to get her to make Tracy's favorite cake to take with us (fudge marble with fudge icing) to celebrate the weekend. With a fridge, we were able to store the milk Beth required to have upon arrival to go with the cake. Never buy a gallon of milk at a Conoco Gas station unless you desperately need it because the price will curdle you. Since Beth is three months pregnant, she deserved it.

That night for dinner, we all piled in one car to head to the restaurant. Five women in a Pontiac G6 isn't the way you'd want to travel very far, but we survived. Tracy took the bullet and sat in the middle of the backseat, proclaiming each time she entered the car "Assume the wedge position." Tracy's humor makes me laugh even long after she says it. And, when we ended up going down a ramp the wrong way, we needed a little humor. I thought my unfortunate fall was dangerous....

As we left on Saturday to head to our respective homes, we all were so happy we finally got an OPC trip to work out...and began talking about taking the same jaunt in February. You can read Amy's take on the trip at her blog. I love these girls. They are like family. Christie is my designated "next of kin" for all family emergencies since I have little family left...and she's the sister I never had. Amy felt like family before we were friends because my parents and her grandparents were so close. Tracy and I have many similarities that I'd think we share genes...and her family has welcomed me in their home more times than I can count. And Beth is always making sure I have places to go on holidays and checking in with me almost daily like a sister.

I remember someone making a comment on the way home about the OPC trip in five years. Amy said, "Will we still be doing OPC trips in five years?" I told her..."I certainly hope so."