Even though many others may claim it, I believe I'm right when I say that I have the best friends in the world. Since this does seem to be a recurring theme for many people, I have decided to dedicate this blog to my many wonderful friends, both old and new, who I truly appreciate! Starting way back in the days when I invited my elementary friends over for Disney princess birthday parties or afternoons of playing Barbies, I have found that spending time with friends and cultivating these relationships is something that is of great importance to me.
First, I want to write a bit about how important seasoned friendships are to me. Growing up in a small town, you tend to know everyone and you know them fairly well. Nonetheless, through the years, I found individuals of a variety of ages who became pretty much like family. Two of my dear friends and I met in preschool and are still close to this day. I never would have guessed that some of the girls who sat by me as I became a master at colors and the alphabet would continue to be such important individuals to me down the road, but I'm so glad that our paths continue to be intertwined to this day! Then there came a day when I met another very special friend. It was one of those friendships that took off quickly with ease as if you'd planted a seed and watered it with Miracle Grow. H and I spent countless hours, days, and even summers together talking, cooking, working, riding horses, and doing things that teenage girls do. We soon grew up and left for colleges in different areas, but H and her family still mean the world to me. Life may change, but I love that some friendships established early in life are able to bend, change, grow along with it.
Just when you think that you have life completed figured out, college days arrive. I set off bright eyed and bushy tailed to a small college and was not disappointed by the array of wonderful new people I met during my four years there. Wonderful conversations and common interests were discovered amongst me and my roommates, my freshman year dorm floor girls, my sorority sisters, and my classmates. I still marvel at some of the random coincidences that brought me together with so many of these people. (And yet I don't truly mean coincidences because I know that God placed us in one another's lives.) For example, my amazing friend, M, and I met while wiling away the hours in a ridiculously long line for course registration. On yet another day, E and H became two of my dearest friends, and it all started by them inviting me to make football t-shirts to wear to a game. Shared challenges, lessons learned, joys, and hardships during these years bonded us closely until the day of graduation dawned and I knew that despite the distance, many of them would remain my lifelong friends.
Just when I felt so incredibly blessed by my continued childhood friendships and close college ones as well, I began life in a new city and found that yet again, God has blessed me with yet even more wonderful people in my life. During my first year of teaching, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most generous, kind, and wonderful people. As I look back at the past months, I marvel at how much joy each of these new friendships brings to me. Additionally, I began attending a new church in this city and have been adopted by a group there as well. One of the new friends I made over the last year once mentioned that she loves going out to do various activities because she appreciates the chance to make new friends. I couldn't agree with her more! Even though I stop sometimes and feel overwhelmingly thankful for not only an amazing and supportive family but a network of friends old and new, near and far, I can't help but smile at the fact that just around the bend, God will continue to bring these wonderful individuals into my life. So to each and every one of you who appreciate me for me and who give me the chance to appreciate who you are too (you all know who you are), thank you! I celebrate our friendship.
No comments:
Post a Comment