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 