Nov 02 2013
Friends…(prepare for mushiness)
Recently, we had some close friends visit from Germany. It was such a fun week with lots of laughing, drinking beer, and solving the world’s problems. I was struck as I was dropping them off at the airport that these people who I have spent relatively very little time with are some of my dearest friends! I’m not sure if its because we have to work twice as hard to communicate because of the language barrier or what, but they truly are kindred spirits to my husband and me.
It got me thinking about friends…and what that word has meant to me throughout the course of my life. When I was very young, it pretty much meant anyone who would be nice to me and liked to play horses. As I got into my teenage years, it was more about having the similar insecurities and sharing a love for music. As a young adult, partying and drinking was a major theme, as it is for most young people. If you stay up late, had few responsibilities, liked to dance and do incredibly stupid things…we were tight.
Now, as a mother and fairly established grown-up (really?! Ok, I guess I’m a grown-up), friendship has become much more difficult to define. I have friends that I have known for years, and have seen me through some amazing highs and some pretty spectacular lows. I have friends that are my “mommy friends”…ladies that I have bonded with through a mutual survival of having children. I have my friends that I have met through a love of doing crazy things like Zumba, helping a bunch of teenagers throw soggy dog food at each other, watching silly TV shows, or the craziest of all, being married to a police officer! And, last but not least, my work friends who are truly as nuts as I am.
I can not imagine life without these people. The are such an amazing, beautiful, inspiring group that keep me accountable, make me laugh, encourage me. My only hope is that I can do the same…keep them accountable, make them laugh, and encourage them when they are down.
Thank you. To all of you. I don’t know WHAT I would do without each of you.