My friendship with Mary. We met each other in 1977 while living in the Central West End in Saint Louis. We were neighbors, our husbands knew each other and we worked together in a local shop. Didn't take long for us to figure out we liked the same things. Art, thrifting, vintage, decorating, making, crafting, cottages, babies and mothering. It was a friendship that changed my life in many ways.
After we moved to Chicago, Mary came to visit for a weekend and sent this little drawing as a thank you note. (I know, really!) Not only an original drawing featuring portraits of my girls, but also their toys, their clothes. That's Erin's beloved bunny named "Easter" next to her fav lavender sweatpants and red Mary Janes. Maggie is holding the fabric-covered bunny house I'd just made for them. She's wearing the sweater I knitted for her (and begged her to wear as often as possible). The blue rainboots with yellow soles were everyday "Maggie." In 1984, there weren't any digital cameras. She just remembered all that. Every detail to sentimental perfection.
Ten years later, while we were working on our Home Companion books, Mo was with us and made this typically sassy five-year-old wisecrack ..... "I have news for you!" And there she is too. In her outfit of the day, with her everday big hairbow, her everyday purple hightops, her everyday Attitude, her fav bunny in the tin pullcart, our Noah's Ark set on one of my hooked rugs. (I know, really!)
Even so, all said, how thrilling is it that our friend, Mary so kindly and generously and fabulously did this? .....
I know! REALLY?!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Mary!
So special! Been a HUGE fan of Mary since early days. I know! Really! And becoming a fan of yours as well. I enjoy your blog and it's bits of inspiration and adorable-ness!
Posted by: Jend222 | March 10, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Oh, wow!
So amazingly beautiful.
All of it.
Posted by: judy | March 10, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Wow! How wonderful!! I have always loved ME and have every issue of her magazine. I was seriously bummed when it discontinued. What a great friend you have!!
Posted by: Yvonne Welty | March 10, 2011 at 10:28 AM
So pretty. What a wonderful friend!
Posted by: Anne | March 10, 2011 at 10:31 AM
WOW! What a wonderful gift of love from a very Dear Friend! Priceless................
Posted by: jackie | March 10, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Not surprising in the least... this confirms what I've always thought: 'There's Something About Mary' that is very generous and very giving! What a treasured friendship! {Blessings to Maggie & James, btw}
[email protected]
Posted by: Deb @ Retreat | March 10, 2011 at 10:42 AM
What treasures you have! Love the details and I know you treasure the friendship.
Posted by: Georgeann | March 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Friends like Mary are a special miracle in our lives and yours must be incredibly special. The invitations are amazing! Congratulations to your daughter and her new husband.
PS...Oh, how I miss Home Companion!
Posted by: Beth | March 10, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Beautiful....
Such a friend you have.
Cherish her.
Posted by: Dawn | March 10, 2011 at 11:51 AM
That is just beautiful!
Posted by: Kim | March 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM
And you knew someone by the name of "Cherry" would enter your life!
Nice story and invitation is a memory!
Posted by: barneypark | March 10, 2011 at 12:05 PM
A priceless treasure, in deed. Beautiful invitation ~ a gift of love from a very special friend.
Posted by: mary k | March 10, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Amazing! How very special, personal and meaningful to you and your girls.
Finding a girlfriend who gets you and who you can share so many things with is a priceless treasure.
Happy wedding planning! :)
Posted by: Laura @ 52 FLEA | March 10, 2011 at 12:18 PM
So thoughtful and lovely!
Posted by: Heather - Speckled Egg | March 10, 2011 at 12:43 PM
NOTHING is better than having great friends. Well maybe great TALENTED friends! Great talented and GENEROUS friends....ok, I'll stop.
Posted by: Bernie | March 10, 2011 at 12:58 PM
That is about as wonderful as it gets! I adore her illustrations!
xo, Cheryl
Posted by: Whosyergurl | March 10, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Lovely beyond words... kinda weepy here... :)
Posted by: Connie Hall | March 10, 2011 at 01:40 PM
I don't think it could get any better than that! Seeing those fantastic drawings makes me miss her magazine even more.
Posted by: mary | March 10, 2011 at 01:54 PM
I can't tell you how many of those "I Have News for You" cards I've sent out over the years...one of my all-time favorite ME designs! And now to learn that your Mo was the inspiration...love it even more! We all knew ME was a brilliant artist. It's so nice to learn what a thoughtful friend she has been too. The invitation is absolutely charming and was obviously created with love. xox
Posted by: linda warlyn | March 10, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Such a wonderful and meaningful invitation - thank you for sharing these memories with us.
Posted by: Lorrie | March 10, 2011 at 03:05 PM
How very special! I hope they have a beautiful wedding.
Posted by: Deb | March 10, 2011 at 03:33 PM
What a beautiful friendship. You are both so fortunate to have found each other.
Laura
Posted by: Laura | March 10, 2011 at 03:48 PM
OMG! Have a wonderful wedding day!
Connie
Posted by: connie | March 10, 2011 at 04:31 PM
How thoughtful a gift and how lucky you are! Very sweet!
Posted by: LindaSonia | March 10, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Oh wow! What an extremely special treat is that - the one & only ME invites for some very special people. You both are so talented. It was truly meant to be for you to be friends. Thanks for sharing. Looks like it's going to be another really fun wedding.
Posted by: Troy Louise | March 10, 2011 at 05:07 PM
I love it... "Really!" This is what we crafters do for each other. It's just how we roll! I adore the wedding invitations Mary drew up for your daughter. Absolutely delightful!
Hugs, Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Woodruff | March 10, 2011 at 05:11 PM
WOW how amazing for you. Its really ironic that you even bring up ME today. I just stumbled on your blog recently so I had no idea you were BFFs with ME. I found you in the current "Inspire" but fell in love with you bunny embroidery. Once upon a time, I embroidered all the time (as a teen) but haven't done any in decades as paper is my current obsession. Something about your designs draws me in…. Here's the kicker…. Just yesterday I was working on some nursing things I had to do for my licensure, wishing I was blog hoping to all my favorite artists blogs when I started a list of things I needed to do then next time had a moment and #2 on the list was see what ME is up to these days. Ironic huh?
Posted by: Danee Kaplan | March 10, 2011 at 07:13 PM
What a wonderful treasure Mary's contribution to the wedding is! Love it!!! But I also love the background stories of the other illustrations too." I've got news for you" is one of my favorite ME illustrations and now that I know that Mo was the inspiration it is even more special. All the attention to the tiniest personal details is really what makes Mary's artwork so endearing. Thanks for sharing this post with all of us.
xo
jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | March 10, 2011 at 08:33 PM
HOLY COW!!!!!!
Posted by: Jeanelle | March 10, 2011 at 09:00 PM
So sweet. The attention to detail in Mary's art is amazing! Such a nice post celebrating special friendship. Cheers!
Posted by: Linda Thiltgen | March 10, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Oh my gracious! It makes me cry. What a wonderful gesture for all of you!
Posted by: Loretta | March 10, 2011 at 10:00 PM
This is beautiful! It's no wonder you've remained friends. You are both amazingly talented and beautiful inside and out!
Posted by: Nancy Wethington | March 11, 2011 at 05:40 AM
I remember those purple sweatpants and definitely remember the bride-to-be's spunk! Thanks for sharing this story. Love it!
Posted by: Nicki Dwyer | March 11, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Hello Charlotte,
What a wonderful gift for them!
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | March 11, 2011 at 09:58 AM
oh charlotte how amazing! thanks for sharing with us! xox
Posted by: noodle and lou | March 11, 2011 at 12:51 PM
That is a wonderful story about lasting friendship!! Congratulations to your daughter too!
Posted by: Betty | March 11, 2011 at 12:52 PM
What special gifts. Art and handmade things are always the best gifts, and even more so when they're for (or of) your children. Sweet.
Posted by: holly abston | March 11, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Wow, that is really special!
Posted by: Nancy | March 11, 2011 at 12:56 PM
So sweet and I'm tearing up - at the story o sweet friendship and all the life changes that happen along the way. Congrats to Maggie and James! :)
Posted by: Dianne | March 11, 2011 at 01:13 PM
OH MY GOODNESS! How special, each one of them. What a sweet friend Mary E has been to you. What a nice story to share, thank you!
xoxo
Joni
Posted by: Joni | March 11, 2011 at 01:36 PM
What a special friendship and it was so fun to see your daughter grow up right before my eyes Through the eyes of Mary.:) Brings tears to my eyes.
Posted by: Amy | March 11, 2011 at 02:30 PM
That is amazingly beautiful and wonderful! How lucky are you both!!!
Posted by: Deb Zoulias | March 11, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Oh, how lovely...the story, the invitation, the friendship, the photos...just lovely!
Posted by: Lynne | March 11, 2011 at 06:09 PM
I love everything about it! What a treasure!
Posted by: Debby Schuh | March 11, 2011 at 11:22 PM
What a treasure! I'm a huge ME fan! What a gorgeous wedding invitation! She's a wonderful friend ... just like you!
Posted by: Doreen | March 12, 2011 at 03:54 PM
Beautiful friendship, beautiful art, and beautiful invitation!!!
Posted by: Ginny | March 12, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Wow! What a great friend. I love the drawings of your girls (but then I love all of Mary's drawings!). The invitations are just beautiful!
Posted by: Ariane C | March 13, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Tears of Joy! Truely. All the sentiments and goodness. So much for a heart to hold Dear Charlotte! Good of you to share it all. A blessed week to you! XO
Posted by: Cherie Wilson | March 13, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Oh wow! What a wonderful story of your friendship. I so loved meeting Mary at SB a few years ago....she was not at all like I expected. I loved her even more than I thought I would!!
Posted by: Linda Richter | March 14, 2011 at 10:47 AM
oh char.
that made me tear up a wee little bit. how sweet and beautiful.
xo
Posted by: kl | March 14, 2011 at 09:12 PM