So many memories over our nearly 60-year friendship. It's Robbie Dob's (Robyn Bredensteiner Uehling) birthday today. Saturday birthdays are fun - even when you are our age! She tells me she has plans to see Tony Bennett. No panty tossing Rob!
How does one stay friends with someone for this long? Especially when, except for a brief time in our mid 20's, we haven't lived in the same town since our first 18 years.
It takes work!
Robyn and I lived in the same neighborhood growing up. Our parents were in the same loose-knit friends group. We went to each other's birthday parties and had play dates. Later, when we were "free range" kids, out in the neighborhood on our own, we ran together in a pack.
One of Robyn's birthday parties sticks out in my mind. Back then, we had huge parties, inviting all of our little pals. Our moms were in charge of making sure we had a fabulous gift to take to the child of honor. We'd shop downtown Atlantic - so the pickings were limited. One year for my birthday I got three of the same piggy banks - 2 blue and one red! Other present ideas included games, coin purses and for me - horse figurines - porcelain. Rex Pharmacy, Ben Franklin, Bonnesons - those were all good places to score presents.
Anyway, this year, Mom must have either - been sick of running downtown or she plum forgot. She turned to Dad for a gift. Yep, lingerie! If you don't know me, this might sound kinky. Relax! Dad was a sales rep and when we were young, he repped lines that included kiddie clothes. I don't know if I even knew what the gift was when at the birthday party, the kids gathered around for gift opening time. She ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal: a kid-sized red peignoir set (silky red PJs). Op! I was so embarrassed WTF was this? As a tomboy, I could not imagine wanting jammies like this. I don't think my parents ever got me into such things. Robyn still teases me about this today. She swears she loved it and wore it proudly.
There were many parties throughout the years. Including some of the first times, I drank beer (underaged, of course). We took advantage of the keg on tap at her mom and Tom's house. And when her dad was out of town, his apartment was a great place to gather. Later, when I was in college, Robyn visited Sal, Julia and me at ISU a few times. She settled back in Atlantic, working with Dr. Trewet, a dentist and tending bar at the Country Club. We vacationed together one summer - driving to Vail to stay with my sis Cindo. (I drove the whole way out - she slept, haha)
After college and a brief stint during my first job in Sioux Falls, I moved to Omaha. Fate brought Paul to Oakland, Iowa - nearby. It was such a bonus that my friends Robyn and Chris Deardorff moved to Omaha then too. We had a couple years together - meeting up for Aerobics and weekly home-cooked meals together. Plus who could forget Friday night drinks at the Rusty Scupper in West Omaha. During our time there, I became engaged to Paul and Robyn to Glenn, her beau from Griswold. We both married in 1982. Paul and I moved north to Osage - and Rob eventually moved much farther, to Orlando! Her marriage to Glenn eventually ended, but both still live in FL. Rob keeps us up-to-date on that kind man and his family.
We may not have seen each other every year, but somehow, my girl and I have stayed close. She came to Marco Island one year when we visited Mom and Dad. She made the drive to Creston when we lived in our first house, and left one of her mother's Tervis Tumblers. I treasured that cup and used it often, thinking of her. (yeah I probably should have returned it to Jody, but I loved it so...). She came back for family visits, and for class reunions. We found our ways to see each other.
Many people know what a special person Robyn is. She shined from childhood. My dad, who was known to give people nicknames, called her Robbie Dob. He'd tell the story of how he'd be taking a nap on our couch in the living room, only to wake up with Rob's smiling 5-year-old face in his. She'd offer a cheery, "Hi, Daddy Dave!" Then she'd see my mom in her everyday knock around the house clothes and say, "Mrs. Bullock, I love your shoes!" What a character!
As an introvert, I have always admired how easily Robyn makes friends. I take time to assess people before letting them into my world. That can make it a lonely place. Not Robyn. When we both lived in Omaha, one time she told me she was going out to supper with a gal she'd met in a laundromat. Doing laundry! Take that in. I read and put out my "don't talk to me vibes"!
When our son Patrick lived his brief life in 1991, Robyn was one of the first people to call. Again when my parents passed - all the way from Orlando, she reached out to comfort me. On random birthdays - we'll spend an hour on the phone, laughing and sharing our lives.
Robyn looks for ways to build others up. She's told me things about myself that I never saw from the inside of this skin. Things that she admires about me. I never knew that when I acted like somewhat of an old lady even when I was young, it was cool. haha That my parenting skills were looked upon positively. That encouragement means the world. Plus she's funny as hell!
Robyn isn't perfect - nobody is. Building everyone else up all the time is hard. We need to support her too. I'm glad she has so many friends and family members who love her as much as I do.
In honor of my friend Robyn, let's all try to be more like her. Verbalize those uplifting things you think about others - right to their faces. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable to others. Laugh and cry together. Life can be messy - we're in it together. Friends make all the difference.
One of Robyn's birthday parties sticks out in my mind. Back then, we had huge parties, inviting all of our little pals. Our moms were in charge of making sure we had a fabulous gift to take to the child of honor. We'd shop downtown Atlantic - so the pickings were limited. One year for my birthday I got three of the same piggy banks - 2 blue and one red! Other present ideas included games, coin purses and for me - horse figurines - porcelain. Rex Pharmacy, Ben Franklin, Bonnesons - those were all good places to score presents.
Anyway, this year, Mom must have either - been sick of running downtown or she plum forgot. She turned to Dad for a gift. Yep, lingerie! If you don't know me, this might sound kinky. Relax! Dad was a sales rep and when we were young, he repped lines that included kiddie clothes. I don't know if I even knew what the gift was when at the birthday party, the kids gathered around for gift opening time. She ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal: a kid-sized red peignoir set (silky red PJs). Op! I was so embarrassed WTF was this? As a tomboy, I could not imagine wanting jammies like this. I don't think my parents ever got me into such things. Robyn still teases me about this today. She swears she loved it and wore it proudly.
 |
| My bachelorette party - Omaha |
There were many parties throughout the years. Including some of the first times, I drank beer (underaged, of course). We took advantage of the keg on tap at her mom and Tom's house. And when her dad was out of town, his apartment was a great place to gather. Later, when I was in college, Robyn visited Sal, Julia and me at ISU a few times. She settled back in Atlantic, working with Dr. Trewet, a dentist and tending bar at the Country Club. We vacationed together one summer - driving to Vail to stay with my sis Cindo. (I drove the whole way out - she slept, haha)
 |
| Marco Island |
After college and a brief stint during my first job in Sioux Falls, I moved to Omaha. Fate brought Paul to Oakland, Iowa - nearby. It was such a bonus that my friends Robyn and Chris Deardorff moved to Omaha then too. We had a couple years together - meeting up for Aerobics and weekly home-cooked meals together. Plus who could forget Friday night drinks at the Rusty Scupper in West Omaha. During our time there, I became engaged to Paul and Robyn to Glenn, her beau from Griswold. We both married in 1982. Paul and I moved north to Osage - and Rob eventually moved much farther, to Orlando! Her marriage to Glenn eventually ended, but both still live in FL. Rob keeps us up-to-date on that kind man and his family.
 |
| Omaha |
We may not have seen each other every year, but somehow, my girl and I have stayed close. She came to Marco Island one year when we visited Mom and Dad. She made the drive to Creston when we lived in our first house, and left one of her mother's Tervis Tumblers. I treasured that cup and used it often, thinking of her. (yeah I probably should have returned it to Jody, but I loved it so...). She came back for family visits, and for class reunions. We found our ways to see each other.
 |
| So glad Amy and Jud have met Robyn |
Many people know what a special person Robyn is. She shined from childhood. My dad, who was known to give people nicknames, called her Robbie Dob. He'd tell the story of how he'd be taking a nap on our couch in the living room, only to wake up with Rob's smiling 5-year-old face in his. She'd offer a cheery, "Hi, Daddy Dave!" Then she'd see my mom in her everyday knock around the house clothes and say, "Mrs. Bullock, I love your shoes!" What a character!
As an introvert, I have always admired how easily Robyn makes friends. I take time to assess people before letting them into my world. That can make it a lonely place. Not Robyn. When we both lived in Omaha, one time she told me she was going out to supper with a gal she'd met in a laundromat. Doing laundry! Take that in. I read and put out my "don't talk to me vibes"!
When our son Patrick lived his brief life in 1991, Robyn was one of the first people to call. Again when my parents passed - all the way from Orlando, she reached out to comfort me. On random birthdays - we'll spend an hour on the phone, laughing and sharing our lives.
 |
| Rob hugs Julia |
Robyn looks for ways to build others up. She's told me things about myself that I never saw from the inside of this skin. Things that she admires about me. I never knew that when I acted like somewhat of an old lady even when I was young, it was cool. haha That my parenting skills were looked upon positively. That encouragement means the world. Plus she's funny as hell!
Robyn isn't perfect - nobody is. Building everyone else up all the time is hard. We need to support her too. I'm glad she has so many friends and family members who love her as much as I do.
In honor of my friend Robyn, let's all try to be more like her. Verbalize those uplifting things you think about others - right to their faces. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable to others. Laugh and cry together. Life can be messy - we're in it together. Friends make all the difference.
