Friendship

I consider myself very lucky to have the friendships that I have.  In addition to the special relationship I have with my sister and the deep friendship I have with my husband, there are a number of people in my world that hold a special place in my heart.  They are people I've known my whole life and whom I have met only just a few months ago. They are people I went to high school and college with.  Whom I shared laughter and tears.  Whose shoulders I lean on and whose advice I cling to.  I cherish my many friendships and look forward to the new ones that I will make as the years go on.

Why so sappy about friends?  Well, I had the pleasure of spending time with two of my best friends this past weekend.  We had such an amazing time that it really made me think and appreciate that I have such wonderful people in my life.  Who, you ask, would bring on such strong emotions?  Well, Jim and Daniel of course!

It's hard to believe that Jim and I have been friends for close to 15 years.  We met at JMU through the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity and it was friendship at first site.  We spent LOTS and LOTS of time dancing at the frat house, shopping at thrift stores for our many themed parties (pimps and ho's party anyone?), and grabbing a much needed bite to eat to cure the hang overs.  

But our friendship really blossomed post college when we both moved back to the DC area.  I remember spending hours and hours on the phone with him talking about everything - but mostly our dramatic relationships.  We hit the clubs with the best of them and spent Sundays lying around watching SATC and Will & Grace re-runs.  When he moved back to NY, things didn't change - in fact, we became closer!  We were there for each other through good times, bad times, challenges and changes.  At this point, we were no longer friends.  We were family.

I visited NY a lot after Jim moved and in the summer of 2006, we made the decision that it was time for me to move up to NY and live with him in his awesome Forest Hills apartment.  We were both single and thought we would live it up in the city - Sex and the City style (our favorite show and form of therapy!).  Well, wouldn't you know that 2 weeks before the big move, I get a phone call.  Guess who met someone?  Enter Daniel.

From the moment I met Daniel, I knew that we would share a special relationship.  We spent a lot of time together those first few months - he essentially was dating both Jim and I!  I still remember the first night we met - we all went to dinner at a Thai restaurant in Forest Hills and went to see The Devil Wears Prada.  Daniel had brought some of my favorite candy to the movie and from that point I was hooked.  It was a fun summer that got even better come Labor Day because that is when I met Ed.  The boys LOVED him from the start and we all became good friends.

The boys came down to VA this past weekend to spend some quality time with us and meet the baby.  We had an amazing time - toured the burbs of VA, had a BBQ with Jason, Betsy and Stella, enjoyed brunch in Reston and just laughed.  They both totally dove in with all things James and fell in love with him (how could you not!) It was such a good time and we can't wait to do it again.  

We have come a long way since 1997 and I think that there are many more memories to come.  We all feel very blessed to have each other in our lives and wouldn't change a thing.  As Samantha says in the second SATC movie, "We made a deal ages ago. Men, babies, doesn't matter. We are soul mates."  So very true.