A Forever Friend

Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than family. Proverbs 18:24

Everyone needs friends.  Simple, but true.  Some people have one or two great friends, and others have innumerable friends.  I probably lie somewhere in the middle of this spectrum, but I have been abundantly blessed to have, what I think, are some pretty amazing friendships.

I have a few friends that are great to drop in for playdates.  Others that are great to call up for Mommy-dates.  I also have a few whom I can just call to rant, rave, and cry with, if needed.  One of these ladies has been one of my best friends for nearly 15 years!  (Ouch, moment to feel old!)

I will try to avoid "over-telling" the story or getting too sentimental, but we've had some great moments, even at some great distances.  I've remained in the same town we went to college in, only 45 minutes from where I grew up.  She's has lived in several states and is about to move further than she's ever been before.  Perhaps at this point, I should add that she is currently only 4 hours away from me.  So instead of seeing each other every so often, we've gotten together like six times!  (One of our outings caught the attention of the national news.  Yeah, we're THAT good at bringing the noise and bringing the funk! More on that later.)

We've giggled about the fact that some our adventures remind us of Lucy and Ethel from "I Love Lucy."  Possibly more than I would like to admit or even remember have been like that, but there has always been fun and love attached.  No matter how often we see, or even talk, with one another, we can pick right back up where we left off.  It's just that kind of relationship.

What's so memorable about these last few times is that we have kids now.  Whether they remember it or not, we've gotten to hang out with our babies and share mommy moments.  This has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation for her.  So whether they remember or not, we will.  (And I doubt her little man will since he turns 1 tomorrow!)

So today is our final good-bye for awhile.  I will try not to be too bleary-eyed or sad, but it might be difficult given all of our highs, lows, and just moments of living that are forever captured in our memories.  However, the real irony of today is that where we live has been in a drought, with no real rainfall for at least 2 months, and today the heavens opened up with a torrential downpour.  My thinking is that even God is getting a little weepy at this, our final hurrah for a while. 

It won't be our last, but it will have to last us awhile!