friends.

Last night, these ladies and I went out and had a splendid time.  That was to be expected.  What wasn't expected was the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that we experienced.  My friends and I have often joked that we are a dysfunctional family.  We have grown up together, we have the same memories of random experiences, we roll our eyes at each other, we have parents and families that treat each of us like their own even if we aren't theirs, and lastly we have an unseen connection that binds us inexplicably.

Becca, Laura, and I were sitting, giving each other a hard time-preying on each other's weaknesses-and I said, "Isn't it great that we know everything terrible about each other and yet we still completely love each other and can laugh about it?"  Laura replied promptly, "Of course!  We're stuck together forever, for better or for worse.  This is it."  Becca agreed.  I agreed too.  A few more words were spoken about how well we know each other and how we're glued together for life.

Even though it is now the next day, I still am reeling in gratitude for my friends.  What a beautiful thing it is to know someone's greatest attributes, but also their greatest faults and to still love them unconditionally.  I think we'd all like to believe we do that, but it's not as easy as it sounds.  It's easy to be around for the fun times, but a friendship is nothing if it can't weather the not-so-fun parts of life.  These girls have stood by me numerous times and I'd like to say I've stood by them as well.  They are friends that have transcended environment and event.  It's easy to have high school friends, college friends, work friends, etc.  But how many of those remain through the years and life changes?  Usually you have your high school friends in high school, college friends in college, work friends at the job, etc.  Part of that is because it's easy to find camaraderie in belonging to an institution, sharing activities, and being in close proximity.  But the friends that can last through different phases of one's life, they are a treasure.  I would even go so far to say they are the "really true" friends.  I love these girls wholeheartedly and as time goes by, I realize just how much it means to have them as true friends in this world.