Friendship

Last Tuesday I walked into a cafe in a town I had never been to,(two hours from my home-town), just killing time while the Boy played in a practice round-- and I ran into my best friend from middle school.

The next two hours, as you might imagine, were filled with stories, gossip from back home, exclamations and explanations. We caught up and reminisced and it was as enjoyable as it was surprising.

The next day we spent the morning and the better part of an afternoon together driving around the (beautiful) surrounding area searching for all things fabulous and unique at various antique malls-- and more importantly we were getting to know each other all over again.

The experience was utterly amazing for me. I am so happy to have found my long-lost friend to be so free-spirited, independent and successful.



((me, melissa and sarah- @ the 9th grade dance))

It was funny to think about how much has changed and refreshing find how simple and familiar we still were. I think both of us were pleasantly surprised with how easy it was for us to reconnect, and how invigorating it was to spend time together.

As I drove home from her house, I could not help but to smile at the thought of all the things I had not said- all the things I still had to share. I forgot to confess, for example, that I have finally (after years of trial and error) managed to perfect her mother's tuna fish sandwich (a perfect tuna-to pickle ratio has thankfully been found). Nor did I think to point out how grown-up we were since last being face-to face- here we were talking about dinner parties and cookware,(admittedly we did still talk about men). The two of us must have exchanged scores of notes and - perhaps as a reflection of our constant communique- we are both pursuing writing careers. It's amazing to see how far we have come, and yet how true to ourselves we stayed.

I could not help but to smile today, both at the memory of our pranks as teenagers and our recent run-in with each other.

So, here is what I have to say about Friendship:
Friendship is patient. It waxes and wanes. It is as quiet as a spoon stirring the leaves in a teacup and it is loud like fireworks on the Forth of July. It is resilient.

((kathleen, kimmy, myself, and heidi @OCMD-Senior Week)

Even when you least expect it, when you aren't even aware you need it, friendship finds you.

Thank goodness for friends; both found and waiting in the wings, past, present and future.