Friendship

I think the thing that I have missed most since we have moved to Georgia is my friends. Friends that know you well, friends that you have shared with and done life with. It's much easier being in a military community and making friends because we all were far from home and from family and so we came together as a unique family. I miss them, Jen and Eric, Corey and Jess, Heather, Jen and CJ.

Here in Georgia, we are not part of a military community. Instead we have joined a community of people, many whom have lived here their entire lives, who have family nearby. It's been harder to make friends with our Monday-Friday work schedules, long commutes and kids that are involved in activities. I have felt lonely many times. I have called my old friends and talked for hours on the phone wishing they were nearby.

Slowly though my friendships are building and coming together. A couple from our church community group and their three little boys whom we adore spending time with. Several mom's from cheerleading who I love to hang out with and who make me laugh. Work friends that make the day go by quicker and who text me when I am on vacation (probably to find out how soon I can get back:).

One friend that I have made though is a friend of my heart. On the surface we are so different.

She is beautiful, tall and thin, well put together.

I am well, shorter, far chubbier and not at all put together.

She likes people and draws them in with her warm smile and conversation.

I hate talking to people and would be far happier to only talk to people I know (does that explain the friend thing?)

Her house is always immaculate.

Mine looks like I need the Clean Sweep people to come and cure me of having too much stuff.

I met her and didn't want to like her. I was intimidated by her. Slowly though, I got to know her and her heart. I discovered that I could tell her anything and she wouldn't judge me. She told me the truth when I asked for it. She stood by my side as my dad was dying and let me know that I was loved.

I discovered that behind that beautiful facade that there was a girl who didn't always think that she was worthy. Someone who didn't know how incredibly special and important she was. And that made me love her all the more.

Almost a year ago, our friendship hit some troubled waters. We were not as close, not as kind to each other. Our friendship got rather strained and over the summer and fall months we didn't really speak except for an occasional facebook message. I missed her so much but I didn't know how to bridge the gap.

Thankfully, she did.

She emailed me at Christmas time and we started really talking again. How glad I am to have her in my life, how much sweeter is our friendship this time around.

Several weeks ago our pastor preached a sermon about the four friends who lowered their friend through the roof of the house where Jesus was. Our pastor asked us who our four friends were, those friends that would fight for us, that we could call when we needed something. My friend, she is one of those friends.

For me it would be trivializing to say that she is my "best friend." She has so many people in her life and so many friends. She is so many things to so many people. She is though, the friend of my heart and I am thankful for her every day.