I learned about the importance of having and keeping good friends early on. I grew up in a big dual parent family (with five girls, 2 boys) and since I was the ‘baby girl,’ I considered myself the odd girl out because, in my mind, my 4 other sisters were all closer in age and therefore already had each other for playmates.
Consequently, in my six year old mind, my best bet was to make my own girlfriends who could ‘feel like sisters’ so I found myself becoming really good at cultivating friendships that lasted. As I became older I got better and better at it. When it came to friendships with the opposite sex I found friendships with boys easier and less complicated. That is, until, I was old enough to date. Then things became more complicated as my boyfriend would look at me like: ‘who is he and what is he to you?’
Which brings me to present day. I am so blessed to have in my life my S.O. James who is not only the love of my life but also my best friend, confidant, travel partner and partner in crime.
Another benefit to becoming older is that the gap between my sisters has somehow shrunk and we are now truly friends.
I am also blessed to have in my life what I consider my wide circle of friends: family friends, friend friends, church friends, client friends, gym friends, doggie friends, co-worker friends and social media friends.
Speaking of co-worker friends, I recently became very close to a co-worker friend named Jamie who I was initially introduced to by a mutual and former co-worker friend who asked me, upon her exit, to look after Jamie since she was new and did not have any friends. I immediately bristled at the idea of making friends with a friend of a friend as I always prided myself on choosing my own friends but once I got over that feeling I began to like Jamie. We both had a different idea of what the other person was like based upon preconceived notions but once we got past that we became fast friends. I always feel as if I meet a person for a reason and I quickly found what that reason was through my friendship with Jamie. She is and was the inspiration behind my blog as she both trained and helped get me started on WordPress plus she has her own enviable blog, jamieeverafter.
So in conclusion I have to say that friends are like jewels…precious, valuable, treasured…no two are alike.
