Friendships
I don't have a lot of close friendships. I've never been one to need a whole gaggle of friends; just a few trusted friends has always sufficed for me. Most of my friends do not even live very close to me because we move so often. But the friendships I have tend to be long term friendships despite the fact that most of them are long-distance friendships.
My oldest friendship is now nearly 40 years old (man, that makes me feel so old!). Lori and I met in kindergarten nearly 40 years ago. We also were neighbors, growing up in Maine. We graduated from high school together. The natural progression of life took both of us away from our hometown, to different parts of the country. Sometimes years went by without us speaking to each other (other than yearly Christmas cards). Yet when we did speak, it was always as though we never had ever moved away from each other. Whatever it was that drew us together at the age of five was still there.
It was an odd friendship we had. I was a shy, almost timid, child. She was bold and in your face. I was a bookworm; she was an outgoing people person. She was bossy and sometimes mean; I was meek and often envious of her outgoing nature. She was often critical and I accepted that too because she was my friend.
Lori now lives in Maryland; about an hour away from me. We had not seen each other in nearly 15 years. Today, Marcus and I traveled to Maryland to have dinner with Lori and her husband. I was so nervous. I was worried that she was still bossy and critical; that once again I would feel some how inferior to her. Made me wonder why we were ever friends in the first place. But, I mustered my courage and I went because I have changed--I am not longer the meek girl I used to be. I'm comfortable with me and the person I am and other's opinions about me do not mean that much to me anymore.
Having said all that, I have to say that I had the best time! Memories of all the wonderful fun things we did as children came rushing back and I remember why we became friends and why we remained friends. We clicked just like we did nearly 40 years ago. And it is true what they say about time and age tempering people. Lori isn't bossy and critical like she was as a young girl. I honestly enjoyed every minute of our day together. Our husbands get along well also, which is nice. We already have plans to get together at our house soon. I am looking forward to it!
My oldest friendship is now nearly 40 years old (man, that makes me feel so old!). Lori and I met in kindergarten nearly 40 years ago. We also were neighbors, growing up in Maine. We graduated from high school together. The natural progression of life took both of us away from our hometown, to different parts of the country. Sometimes years went by without us speaking to each other (other than yearly Christmas cards). Yet when we did speak, it was always as though we never had ever moved away from each other. Whatever it was that drew us together at the age of five was still there.
It was an odd friendship we had. I was a shy, almost timid, child. She was bold and in your face. I was a bookworm; she was an outgoing people person. She was bossy and sometimes mean; I was meek and often envious of her outgoing nature. She was often critical and I accepted that too because she was my friend.
Lori now lives in Maryland; about an hour away from me. We had not seen each other in nearly 15 years. Today, Marcus and I traveled to Maryland to have dinner with Lori and her husband. I was so nervous. I was worried that she was still bossy and critical; that once again I would feel some how inferior to her. Made me wonder why we were ever friends in the first place. But, I mustered my courage and I went because I have changed--I am not longer the meek girl I used to be. I'm comfortable with me and the person I am and other's opinions about me do not mean that much to me anymore.
Having said all that, I have to say that I had the best time! Memories of all the wonderful fun things we did as children came rushing back and I remember why we became friends and why we remained friends. We clicked just like we did nearly 40 years ago. And it is true what they say about time and age tempering people. Lori isn't bossy and critical like she was as a young girl. I honestly enjoyed every minute of our day together. Our husbands get along well also, which is nice. We already have plans to get together at our house soon. I am looking forward to it!
posted by Dianna | 9:04 PM
1 Comments:
I'm glad you visited your friend and it was a wonderful visit. All friendships change and grow (and sometimes fade away). Here's to lifelong friendships!
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