Laura Wade | Special to The Botetourt View

Jaime Robertson (left) and Julia Robinson at the Mid-Atlantic Parents of Multiples Convention hosted by the RVPOMC and held at Hotel Roanoke.

Robertson had recently moved to Roanoke and had infant triplets. She didn't know anyone else who had triplets, and was excited to meet other mothers who could understand the feelings and challenges she was experiencing.

Robinson's daughter was eighteen and her triplets were almost four years old, so she could relate to Robertson.

"Relate. That is a good word to describe our friendship," Robertson says. "Most people just can't understand what it is like having triplets. We are more willing to meet each other and do things together because we empathize over the chaos [involved in mothering triplets]. It's normal for both of us."

So once a week, they enjoy a family dinner together. Usually, the couples and their six children meet at Frank's Pizza for a night out. The adults enjoy one another's company while the children play and eat.

"Our spouses get along and that's extremely nice so we can do things as families," shares Robertson.

The couples get along so well that they vacation together annually. They've cruised to Bermuda, and went to the Dominican Republic. This year, they are cruising the Caribbean. Both women have family members who stay with their children while they enjoy time with each other and their spouses. Robertson believes the best gift they can give their children is a healthy marriage, and "that's why we go on vacation."

As they laugh, Robinson receives a text message from her husband, Dwayne Robinson. It says, "Don't forget about how awesome and loving me and Mark [Robertson] are." Robinson laughs again, and says that her husband also wanted to share that their husbands are buddies when it fits into their wives' schedules.

"We are both spontaneous and I love that," says Robinson. "My favorite thing about Jaime is that she's very easy to talk to, and she's very fun."

"I can call her and talk about anything and get emotional," Robertson shares. "The most difficult thing about our friendship is that she has a child with autism and I can't understand [what she goes through] so I just want to hug her because I don't know what else to do."

Sometimes, a hug is just what a friend needs. Robertson and Robinson can relate to that.

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