i get by with a little help from my friends

Writing my last post, about Jessikah, really made me think about friendship.  I am the sort of girl who has a small, close group of friends.  When it comes to the people I choose to spend my time with,  quality trumps quantity, every time.  Just as our lives go through different seasons, relationships do, as well.

My girls are amazing.  If any of you read this, I will not name you, but please be aware that, yes, I am referring to you. :)

I moved to Marshfield in the second half of sixth grade.  What a rough age to change schools (but I will be forever thankful that at 12 I had the good sense to move myself and my sisters in with the stable parent, our dad).  I cannot even imagine who I would be today if I had not gotten out of that small town, because just the thought of what could have been makes me cringe.  I like to hope that I would be the same person that I am today, but I am fine not knowing.

My first and only best friend for a long time rode my bus.  I can still remember her lugging a boombox onto the bus to provide music for the ride.  We grew close and grew up together.  If I was not at her house, she was at mine.  Sometimes we were at neither, and once it caught up to us and all parents found out, and they had the police looking for us (we were not found until morning when we were scheduled to be home).  Most of my junior high and high school memories include her.  Right now, life has happened in the last few years and we do not see each other except in the checkout line at the grocery store, or at the rare group gathering that may take place.  I need to make an effort to change this, as I miss her and her wonderful family.  Life does get busy, but we also choose how we spend our time... and it is time for me to make some different choices.  This gal and I have been through it all together:  good times, bad times, sad times, dangerous times... and the only thing I would change is the amount we see each other now (and maybe find you in Sam's house to prevent that one grounding you received).  You know who you are.  I love you, you are such a huge part of my past, want you to be part of my present. I could write a book based on our antics.  I am in the happiest place I have ever been, and you will love the love of my life.  It also disappoints me that Laica doesn't remember you, we need to change that.  I will be calling or texting soon, you can expect it.  xoxo

Next up, is someone who I didn't really become friends with until my senior year of high school, and she became the person that, to this day, I speak to every single morning (and sometimes more than that throughout the day).  I became friends with her because she was besties with Jessikah, who I had become close to after a certain vomiting incident that involved too much alcohol and Pete's Dragon.  We have been through good, bad, happy, sad.  She was there for me for every important event it my life.  We have had so many great times, I could not even begin to list them all or chose favorites.  She is the first person I call to tell gossip news to.  She is my best friend, and I hope to have her in my life for many, many more years.  Salty, you are one of a kind.

The next person was my most recent room mate...and we were also roomies back in 2005 for over a year.  We have gone through so much, and had so much fun together.  Can say with confidence that out of all of my friends, I have spent the most time dancing with her.  We have been to concerts, (Beck!) festivals, movies, stayed in and put sponge rollers in her hair and painted nails.  She is the sort of girl that becomes a sister.  I love her and her family.  She has gorgeous twin baby girls, and her husband is a phenomenal support to her.  I could write an entire post on Carly, but I will not. Our friendship is one that has been through trials... But, we came back to one another, squashed the ridiculousness, and went back to loving one another and wanting to spend time together.  I want her kids to like me the best of all of their mommy's friends. ;) Aunt Brooke is the best.

I could write an individual post about each of my close friends, and I may in the future.  I don't want to leave out my cousin-friend, Kasey.  I will soon be able to snuggle her baby boy, Bowen, who will be here in about eleven days, if not before then.  She has been, is, and always will be there for me.  I will always know what is going on with her.  We eat lunch when we can to stay in touch, I cherish those times.  This is another girl who has provided me with too many memories to bring up.  I am thrilled to be able to hold her new baby soon.  I also love Kasey's mom, Trish.  There is no other like her, and she has always been very real with me, and I respect that.

Ms. Jamie moved off to Texas, but I got to eat dinner with her recently when she was in town.  I will see her in September, when she gets married.  It will be my first time to visit Texas, and I am more than a little excited about it.

I am leaving out many important people, there will be more friendship posts in the future.  Right now I will snuggle up to by life-long best friend, Cody, and watch silly television until I drift off to dreamland.