Friendship

Greetings Everyone, I hope you are all well today. Today’s post is a tribute to friendship. Friendship is very important in my opinion because these group of people can be an extension of your family. As I have stated before, I have never had a lot of friends. I am different and I rarely fit in. That has never changed throughout my life. Many people have come and gone from my life – especially friends. However, there has been a handful that has been consistent. This post is an ode to my friends. I will not call anyone by name, but they will all know who they are. You all mean so much to me in ways you will never know. This is not to slight other friends. This is a tribute to my closest people.

My best friend and I have been friends since our high school days. We were friends since my sophomore and his freshman year at high school. I went to one high school for ninth grade. Then I transferred to my dream high school for tenth through twelfth grade. We were in the same US History class together. I was the only sophomore in an all freshman class since the sophomore history class (American Government if I am remembering correctly). This was in the fall of 1999. I do not remember how he and I became friends. All I remember is that 20 years later, 99% of my high school memories involve him in some way. We did some of the same extra curricular activities – Speech and Debate and the school paper for one year. We traveled to many tournaments together where he was my pillow. This friend was the closest thing to a boyfriend I really had during those years. Whenever I was sad, he would go out of his way to comfort me. This lasted through adulthood. We do not always agree on things. In fact, he does not hesitate to voice his disdain regarding a lot of the choices I have made over the years, especially my taste in men. We bump heads a lot. I think part of that is because we are the same zodiac sign. He has been there for me through the best of times and worst times in my life. We have seen each other through a lot in 20 years. Not a day goes by when I don’t reflect on how grateful I am for his friendship. He can be a little mean spirited at times. I do not believe his intent is to be malicious. However he can be hurtful and we go at it. There were always times over the years when I wished he and I were more than friends. However, I am thankful and glad we are as we are. In all honesty, I think we would drive each other crazy if we really were in a relationship. I am sure we would. He has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and I would not want to ruin it.

Another friend I have is like a big sister to me. She is slightly older, but I love her to pieces. She and I use to work together. She has been there through a lot too. She also knows about my current love interest. She laughs at some of my stories. She also voices her opinion when things do not work out as they should with us. I had worked at the previous job longer, so in a sense I trained her. We got a long great off the back. I think she could kind of sense where things were heading with my love interest before we really became close. She offers advice. She is what I aspire to be should I make it to her age. She really enjoys her life and her family.

The next friend I have is someone else I use to work with years earlier. In fact, she and I are so similar that people use to confuse us often. We are both short and around the same height and build. We are both detailed workers. I was often called by her last name and she was often called by mine. We are both sensitive, mild-mannered and emotional people. I try to give her advice because I have experienced more than she has in terms of relationships and life. I check on her a lot. She is one reason I decided to do this blog, based on the advice I give. She has experienced some hardships over the years. We use each other as an anchor towards healing. We are both learning how to navigate through this time we call life.

Then there is my current love interest. I knew him for at least three years indirectly. We used to communicate via email when it came to mutual clients. Me him and one of the friends I described earlier had to handle a case together. The first time I met him in person, I was easily smitten. I do not know why to this day. I think he felt the same way. I remember him giving his phone number out aloud the first time we all met up to handle this client’s case. I did not write it down. Usually I don’t, being the reserved and shy person that I am. However we had to reconvene at a later date. The second time, I did write down his number. My friend and I were trying to figure out how I was going to get back to my office after the hearing. I was not driving at the time. She took me back the first time, but time did not allow her to take me back the second time. At that time, my elderly father was driving me around. He overheard our conversation. He offered to take me, as long as my husband didn’t mind. I was good and divorced at that point. I told him that right a way. My friend gave me the approval nod and smile like she knew instantly the connection. I believe heavily in fate. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. We all cross paths for a reason. He took me back to work. He told me about his toddler. I told him I babysit children. If you know me personally, you would know that I love being around children. Children are my happy zone. We talked about other things. When we made it to my office, he held my hand as I got out of his car. He prayed with me. He also walked me inside and voiced so many wonderful words about me. I was truly touched. My superiors smiled in his face. What I did not know at that time was that I was being reassigned to work under him. I texted him and told him who I was. I thanked him. The very next day, I found out about the reassignment. I wasn’t happy about the circumstances. However, I was happy that he and I would be working together. The longer we worked together, the more people assumed we were together. We never crossed that line at the time because of our working relationship. However, we were really close. We shared food. He made me coffee frequently. He drove me home on multiple occasions. He was going to give me his car around the time I obtained my driver’s license. I did eventually purchase my own car. When I was away from work due to unforeseen circumstances, he was not the same. I later found out that he used to brag about me before I went to the same unit he was in. I was extremely flattered. We would make plans to hang out a lot. However, due to various circumstances, things fell through often. I eventually left that office and accepted a promotion. Things have really changed between us since then. Most recently, he went out of his way to celebrate my birthday. We talk nearly every day about various things. We always have fun together when we do hang out. Everything increased since we are no longer working together. He knows I am still working through the pain of my divorce. I know he is still dealing with his grief. He is still one of my best friends. He has fought for me in a way most people have not. I will always love and appreciate him for that. I tell him that often. I do not know what will happen between us in the future. I am thankful for him daily.

As you see, I have described some of my closest friends. These are people who have been there for tears. They have helped me through pain and celebrated in my joy. These are people who helped me grow into the woman that I have become. I have gained so much from all of my friends. Friendship is not always about who you have known the longest. Friendship is about who has your back when you need it most. These are the handful of people who will at least listen when I am going through some things. These are the main people who uplift me in a world that tries to tear me down. These people have embraced me completely – flaws and all. They still love me. When I am wrong, they tell me. This is what friendship is all about. Friendship should be about quality instead of quantity. If your friends do not uplift you, and be there for you in all stages, they are not your friends. Make sure you keep your circle tight. Attract and maintain friends instead of frenemies. I love all of my friends.

Thank you all for tuning into my post. I hope you gained something from it. Stay blessed. ~ Rayne Elise.