a true friend
Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit. 
— Aristotle
I came across this quote today and immediately thought of someone very special to me. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful true friend in my life. I like to call her my bestest best. She was away last week and although we played phone tag, we were not able to chat until today :O) Oh how nice it was to just hear her voice! and catch up, even if it was just for a brief moment! The thing I loved the most was that today’s conversation was just a regular conversation but beyond that, she and I have the ability to to have a conversation after an hour, a day, a week, even a month or two.
My bestest best and I knew of each other in Junior High but did not become friends until 10th grade – that was 18 years ago! That is more than half my life!!!! I am grateful for everyday that we have had together, the good and the bad – there have been very very few bad ones. She and I are alike in many ways that it has allowed us to understand and support each other through many difficult times over the years. We are different though too and it is those differences that have allowed us to learn from each other over the years.
She truly is my forever friend and I trust her completely. It has been a long, crazy beautiful journey she and I have taken over the last 18 years. And one that has taken a great deal of effort on both our parts. We have been separated by oceans some years, states the next, and even just a few streets in the same city (how i miss being her neighbor!) Through it all, we have talked, listened, called, and written (not just emails, we have been friends long before we had that ability), cried, laughed, hugged, encouraged and supported each other. I am most grateful to know that even if she does not agree with a decision of mine, she will do what she can to support me. And I am grateful that she will tell me when I am making a mistake.
She has made me think about myself in new ways, learn to appreciate who I am and the accomplishments I have made, stayed up in the middle of the night listening to my confusion and tears,and made me tea in those times to help me feel better. She has challenged me to move outside my comfort zone and to work towards my goals that I at times am scared to attempt. She has always shared herself with me just as she is which has helped me do the same with her and with others. Knowing that I have her to always have my back, stand by my side and pull me along has been a great source of comfort.
We became fast friends but have taken the time to create something much more than that. I suppose it has been a ’slow’ process and one that is not yet complete. I wonder what type of fruit Aristotle would think we were?
if you are reading this – i love you darlin’ and will always and forever
