I have a best friend. An AMAZING one at that. She is there for me when I need her, she gets my (sometimes wacky) sense of humor, and she wholeheartedly supports me in whatever I do and wherever I go in life. I’m tempted to whip out my Maid of Honor speech right about now, but I will spare you as it could get super emotional up in here!
To sum it all up, this girl has changed my life. I know, I know, super cliche. I can’t get away from cliches with this one. Practically every sappy BFF cliche out there applies in our situation. We used to joke that if only one of us had been male, we would have been the perfect storybook couple (Fortunately, we did find ourselves some pretty stellar alternatives).
Our friendship began in the days of yore, in those good ol’ days I was telling you about. I was in the middle of high school and I thought I was happy, but I was starting to realize I actually wasn’t. I wanted to change courses in my life (I’ll spare you the dramatic – eh, not too dramatic – details). I wanted to rediscover the core of who I was and what I wanted. It was the perfect time for me to make a best friend (well, a new one. In the course of me trying to become a better person, I neglected many people I loved. Long story. One I may or may not get to…). And this is when I met C. We were young; we were doe eyed and bushy tailed. I had recently decided to do away with my hesitations and reservations about getting close to people and was eager to be free and real, my genuine self. C was just plain friendly and cheerful; so welcoming and so refreshing. And there we had it. The perfect recipe for BFFdom.
I have had this conversation with C. About how the timing for two people to become close has to be just right. Because people are always going through whatever drama they’re going though (women especially – sorry) and there are only certain points in time when each person is open to starting a new friendship. Willing to be vulnerable. To let their guard down. To love someone. To build something new. (I can hardly imagine how much more complicated this is when it comes to romantic relationships. I’m not an experienced dater – see arranged marriage – , so someone will have to fill me in on those deets.) Being best friends with C during my formative years of life contributed a lot to who I am today. I’d like to think a lot of my confidence and happiness with who I am came from her and her family.
C has a bubbly, infectious personality. She is the life of the party: friendly, funny and smart (not to mention freaking gorgeous!). The truly great thing about C, though, is that she genuinely just wants everyone to be happy. She is the last to judge and the first to offer forgiveness and understanding. She is also exceptionally thoughtful. She was the only person who sent me a card on the anniversary of my mother’s passing. That’s how well she knows me; how well she knows how I feel and what I need.
She told me on one of our late night phone chats, and I’ll never forget it, “Diane, no matter what, I’m on your side”, despite me expressing that I was in the wrong and I had just made a mess of things.
I want to end with this love note to C: You are my better half, you complete me, and I am forever and a day on YOUR side. (Yes, I stole that from my Maid of Honor speech. I had to use something! That thing was beautiful!)
These Are The Days 