Laura Wade | Special to The Botetourt View

Michelle Johnson (left) and Tammy Roberts celebrate at Roberts' baby shower.

It's hard to find friends sitting at home, so Michelle Johnson packed snacks, loaded her two little ones into the van and headed to story time at the Fincastle Library. When she arrived, she saw a mother with two little girls nearly the same age as her own children. She took one look at Tammy Roberts, and thought, "She looks cool. I want to be friends with her." That was almost five years ago.

Having both grown up in the Roanoke area, Johnson and Roberts knew some of the same people and immediately felt a special bond. Story time became something the moms looked forward to as much as their children did. That led to cookouts, playgroups and joining the MOMS Club of Roanoke. Now, one of their favorite pastimes is shopping together.

What is the best thing about their friendship?

"She is fun to be around and easy to talk to," Roberts says. "I feel really comfortable with Michelle, and I don't have to put on airs with her."

"Tammy is really sweet, patient, and kind with her children and that helps me be that way. She is kind of like my compass," says Johnson.

Another great thing about their friendship is that they are there for each other even though their lives have gotten busy. Johnson attends college and Roberts serves as an assistant teacher at Bonsack Baptist's preschool. They still babysit one another's children, and when Roberts forgets snacks for her daughters, Johnson is quick to run to the store and drop some off at school for them. When Johnson forgets to pick up her son, Roberts chases down the bus and pretends it was she who forgot so Johnson won't be embarrassed.

Their friendship has grown, along with their families. Johnson has three children now, and Roberts is expecting her third child in July. Both women are happy that their children go to school together and are friends. Even their husbands, Tre Roberts and Reid Johnson, get along well. In finding friendship with each other, they found their families became friends, too.

Laura Wade leads seminars to inspire people to discover their passions and live purposefully.