Betsy and I go so far back that we remember playing make-believe games, and speaking in pretend English accents, and playing dress up and acting out scenes from musicals (Oliver!, primarily), as well as staging “tense” scenes in the playground like the top photo. And here we are today, adults, and still friends. I am lucky: I have a lot of those, people in my life from all eras, although Betsy is the one who goes farthest back. She and her family came up this way to go watch the ball drop in Times Square, and Betsy opted out of that sublime experience to come over and have a slumber party with me. We went out to dinner, but mostly we just sat around in our pajamas and talked. For hours. It’s like clearing the pipes, that kind of night. We are, of course, in touch through Facebook. I never feel like I lose track of her. But there’s nothing like a slumber party to REALLY re-connect.
My best friend and I have been inseparable since 3rd grade. We have gone through everything together. It is one of the most important and precious relationships of my life. There is nothing like having a friend that has seen you through the awkward years, happy times, heart wrenching times and all the in between. The best part is knowing they will always be there.
Such a precious thing, yes, to have someone who befriended you before you even knew who you were. But something in that other person “fit”. You knew it when you were 8, 9.
I cherish those friendships!
Oh yes we fit. Both our names are Jennifer and we always say we are like peas and carrots. Cheesy, yes but true :) We both dislke the movie. Sometimes I feel closer to her than my own family. Not in a strange way, but in a we get it way. And believe me we are as different as two people can be. I believe that is why our friendship works.
Right, because then there is a balance. The thing I love most about my friends from childhood is we really do know that we have to grow and change TOGETHER. That’s not as clear with adult friends – you have more boundaries then (not necessarily a bad thing).
Soooooo glad you have this relationship. Moved around so much as a kid that no one except my sister goes back that far. But starting around the time I moved to NYC after college, 1967-68, I do have some friends who go back that far. It’s really amazing. What surprises me almost more though, is how close I am to a couple of people I’ve met in the last 5-10 years. Never expected to make such close friendships this late in life. Really wonderful. Love the pictures of you both. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Melissa
Melissa – I know just what you mean. My friendships are so solid from grade school through college that I was pretty shocked when I made a few lifelong friends as an adult. (I wrote about Allison last month on her birthday – and it was all about that.) Like: wow, I’m in my 30s, and here is this person, and now we MUST be friends. I cherish those friendships too!