Today I’m thinking about my first BFF. I met my friend Cathy when I arrived at Nickle Elementary Junior High as a grade two student. She was in grade one. We lived a couple doors away from each other, so over the years we ended up spending more and more time together, inventing schemes, discussing first loves, pestering her brothers, and learning about the world.
Cathy travelled around the world, living at least briefly in North Humberside and Devonshire, England. When she met her love in New Zealand, she lived in several cities there. She’s been all over the UK, Europe, and Asia. Her wedding was an international event! These days she juggles a young family and a medical clinic with her musical and investment hobbies.
We don’t see each other very often, but when we do, it’s as if no time has passed. The connection remains as strong as it was back in elementary school. People who know us in our youth know all the essential truths of our being. It’s good to know they’re out there, even if we don’t get to see them as often as we’d like. So here’s to those friends who’ve been there forever. Who remember us at our geekiest and our most amazing. Who have all the secrets that could get us into trouble, and guard them (except when they are tired of all the boy talk and choose to mortify us in front of said boy).
Here’s to our Best Friends Forever, whether they’re around the block or around the world.
Happy Birthday, BFF.
Got milk?
Shawn L. Bird 
Cute photo…can’t remember when it was taken. Have to correct you though (stickler for details that I am)… we went to Sam Livingston Elementary (Nickle was the Junior High). I do remember knocking on your door looking for a playmate 1000 years ago (or thereabouts). We’ll keep the details of our various exploits between us though…too embarrassing to recount unless done so with a glass of wine. Thanks for the fun memories and tribute. Its amazing to think we have been friends for around 40 years (yikes!!!).
lol This is the other thing that happens with old friends (and siblings) the analyzing of memories and debating the details of one’s childhood!
You may be a stickler, but I’m the one who remembers crazy details that everyone else forgets! 😉 Sam Livingston didn’t open until we were in grade 2 & 3. In 1971-72 we walked down to Nickle where there were portables at the back for the elementary kids, and we were together in Mrs Larin’s class that year (until spring when I was transferred to Mrs Pelkey’s room across the hall- I think because I talked too much). I remember the Xmas concert when Gerald Roxborough did some crazy rocking Santa thing in the Nickle gym- I think he was in Scott’s class that year? I also got my tongue stuck on the electrical box at Nickle that winter. The first year at Sam Livingston (72-73) I was in Mrs. Thompson’s class for gr 3 without you. We weren’t together again until grade 5/6 with Mr. Neville and Mr. Harvey… So- who’s correct? 😉
The photo was taken at our apartment in Edmonton when John & I were first married. We’d had you over for dinner.