Friendship

I usually like to post about the kids and my life as a mom, but I can't resist writing about some friends. This last week a childhood friend contacted me through the blog. She lives in DC and we haven't seen each other for 12 years (since we graduated from high school). We met up yesterday morning for breakfast and it was great. The contact with her led me to reflect on friendship.

This person was one of my two closest friends from age 7 to about 15. Our families were very different, but our parents were always very welcoming. In fact, during our upper elementary and junior high years we were probably in each other's homes every other week. I have many, many fond memories of fun times we had together, both at school and home. It was wonderful to see her and be able to catch up on family and reminisce about our youth. We learned a lot from each other as children. We may not have a lot in common now, but she is the type of woman that will always show an interest in what goes on in my life, mostly because of our history. It reminded me how great it is to have a friend who knows where you came from, who knows your family, and who knew you before braces, bras and boys.

I have another close friend that I met in college. We actually met in the bathroom of our dorm. This person knows me like a sister because we spent so much time together during our "becoming adult" years. We have also spent quality time with each other's families, but as adults, bringing our husbands and kids along. We have common interests, and many similar life values, but our personalities are very different and we are quite compatible as friends. We have shared together in marriages, births and the deaths of loved ones. We have laughed and cried together many times. She knows me for who I am and still loves me.

One other friend I met through Randy's graduate school. She is a spouse of Randy's classmate. We just clicked. I don't talk to her that often (although we are now on the same coast), but we connect because we have similar personalities and respond to situations in the same way. We always have so much fun together, and I miss and think of her often.

And then there are the many friends that I have met because of my circumstances. Friends through school, classes, work and parenting. It is amazing how that works! We may not be similar in personality, or interests. We may not have much of a shared history, but those friendships grow so fast because you feel this comradery through shared experiences.

As I am in a new place, making new friends I am reminded of all of the great friends that I have.