Friends

"There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

I just got home from a fabulous night out with friends. I have to admit I was really nervous about getting together tonight. You see, it's been a LONG time since I've gotten together with these girls, and I was just worried about how different it would be this time.

I spent my last year teaching with 4 of the most amazing women! We were as tight as they came as far as a team was, and we spent many of our "independent work time," in the hallway having "Team Meetings." (At least that's what we told the principal - heeheehee). One of the biggest reasons I was against staying home with the girls was because of these 4 ladies. They were my daily friends. The ones that knew everything that was going on in life because we were together all day, 5 days a week. I was pregnant at the same time as 2 of these ladies, we all have babies close in age, and we just get each other. We've been to each others hospital rooms. I've been there when parents split, when husbands needed help, when fertility was a problem, when the babies weren't doing very well. I've prayed over these ladies, prayed with these ladies and prayed for these ladies. I couldn't leave my friends, my sanity. I knew if I left I'd be missing out on something everyday. I'd be the odd man out. The friend that was out of the loop.

Well, it's been 2 years since I left teaching. 2 years since I left those friends that I spent everyday with. Every lunch with. Every afternoon with. 2 years since I could walk into any one of their classrooms, explode with emotions, and walk away feeling 100% better.

So yeah, I was nervous going to dinner tonight. In the last 2 years we've all gone separate ways, at different schools, states, or at home. I've seen them all a couple of times in the past 2 years, but how much will have changed? Will I be able to participate in conversation? Will I still be a part of the group? I had these fears as I was driving to the restaurant. I put in a worship CD and was just praising God and praying that things would go well. Praying I was still part of the group.

Well, I must admit that dinner took 3.5 hours, and it was like we had come from a day at school to dinner out. There was not a moment of awkward silence. Not a moment of feeling left out. Not a moment of insecurity. It was just wonderful!

As I was driving home, the same music still playing, I was praying, and thanked God for real friends! I KNOW that we don't have to be together everyday to be REAL friends. These ladies are REAL friends, and even if it takes 2 years to get together again, I'm sure we'll pick up right where we left off. Full of laughter that leads to tears!

Lindsey, Courtney, Spring and Leslie - THANK YOU! I know you're all reading this! Thank you for keeping me included even when we were apart. Thank you for being there and "sticking closer than a brother" (sister). Thank you for the laughter, that leads to the tears. (Leslie, are you cracking yourself up? Lindsey, is your mascara running like it does when you get tickled? Courtney, are you looking for me to try and make sense of all of it? Spring, are you grinning from ear to ear and saying "I LOVE when they do that?) Thank you for allowing me to be real, open and honest and loving me anyway. Thank you for being real with me. You girls are more special to me than you will ever know. As I was driving home, I thanked God for each of you and for the way you've impacted my life. I can't wait to do it again...and let's make sure it doesn't take 2 years! (Spring, are you crying yet?)

I Love You Girls! You are "Real Friends", just like the Bible says!