Friends

My sister is still best friends with her best friend from elementary school.  They talk often.  Visit each other.  It's amazing.  I'm in awe.  My niece remains close with the same core of girlfriends from middle school -- 14 years ago.  They celebrate the big things, and the little things.  Weddings, divorces, babies, illness.  They are always there for each other, thick and thin.

Probably not so surprisingly, I have no friendships from my school days.  But I am blessed to have a number of girlfriends in my adult life.

25 years:  JKM -- my ex-coworker.  We had lunch together on Friday.  It was 2+ hours that could have kept going, even with no wine.  I love our time together since we can talk about many things.  My Joanna Banana has been with me through the rollercoaster of my life, with support and no judgement.  We won't see each other for months but always pick up right where we left off.  She's an amazing person, I love her so.

18 years:  My dear sweet Alesia went to school with my ex-husband and was also the first wife of his best friend.  Both our first marriages didn't last, but our friendship endured and remains strong today.  She's the kind of friend that I can talk to about EVERYTHING.  She has been there through pregnancy, delivery, divorce and heart ache.  Some weeks we talk daily, other weeks maybe once a week, sometimes for 5 minutes sometimes for 55 minutes.  I know we will grow old together, and I look forward to it.

10 years:   Romie is the neighbor mom I am most close to.  Tonight she and her family had us over for dinner.   We have kids in similar grades.  We talk, share mommy stories, what's working, what's not, what's on the horizon.  We support each other.  I think good things will come.

There are more wonderful women in my life.....including my ya-ya's.  They warm my heart.

Lilia has a neighbor friend, Esther.  Her mama and I were pregnant together.  They laugh, share, pretend and play.  She is sweet and patient with my bossy Lilia.  I love watching them together.  BFFs are the best!