There is nothing quite like the friendship of an Old Friend. Not that any of my friends are OLD, per se, but you know the ones. The people that know me best. The ones who knew me when.
A few weeks back I was surprised by the arrival of one such Old Friend at my place of employment. She just showed up with her 9 month old daughter. Even though it had been a long while since I last saw her, it was like no time had passed at all. She knows me better than most, and longer than nearly everyone. We caught up quickly and I must say her friendship feels like home. Even I teared up when lunch was over and she got up to leave. I don't know when Ill see her again. Even though she lives just a few hundred miles away, at that moment it felt like thousands.
This past Sunday, I had another opportunity to meet up with an Old Friend. We met in college, more years ago than I care to admit. We even lived together for a few years once we entered the workforce as Adults. We separated when she married and moved away with her Army officer husband, far far away of course. I'm ashamed to admit that it has been over 3 years since I saw her last. It was when her firstborn daughter was a newborn. She now has another precious daughter that I wish I could be closer to. She looks just like her daddy. As I hugged her goodbye, I wondered when we would see each other again. We promised it wouldn't be so long.
Next week I will have the chance to meet up with yet another Old Friend as she brings her long awaited newborn son to meet me. (oh, and some other family members too) When she moved away nearly 4 years ago, a piece of my heart followed her. We've done a pretty good job of staying in touch over the years. We see each other at least once a year. (at least as if that is a lot!) It doesn't hurt that Aaron's family lives in the same state about 30 minutes away from her and her family. I know that come Monday night I will be delighted to meet this child we all prayed for and happier still to see her in person once again. I also know that it will all go by much too quickly and Ill drive home, glad to have seen her, but sad to part.
I wondered how it came to be that the three women in my life that I am closest to, outside of family well maybe even counting family, are all so far away.
Not all of my Old Friends are geographically far though. Back in the day, me and my single girlfriends (two groups) all lived in a community known as The Village. It was so fun to have your girlfriends just down the block. It was like it was growing up in the old neighborhood. Just walk down the lane, knock on the door and ask, Can Joy come out and play? We have all either married, found a significant other or purchased property and moved away. None of us are left in The Village. Even though we aren't geographically separated and actually SEE each other on a regular basis, it still isn't the same. We just don't have the time to really catch up and have some quality chick time anymore. Life has gotten in the way.
Take some time this week. Shoot an e-mail to one of YOUR Old Friends. Better yet, send them an actual letter or card by real mail. Tell them how much they mean to you.
It is always good to hear from an Old Friend, especially if that Old Friend is you.
