1978…..ahh…..those were the days. Remember blow backs, bell bottoms and Billy Beer; Earth shoes and halter tops; Charlie’s Angles and The Incredible Hulk? I was 15 years old and a freshmen in high school just trying to find my way in this world, like every other teenager. It was at this time in my life when I met Lynne, my forever friend. We were an unlikely pair to say the least and we met in an unlikely way too. It went something like this.
Lynne was my polar opposite in every way. She was long, lean and tan. I was short, chubby and white as snow. She was a Varsity cheerleader and I was Jr. Varsity. She was super athletic. I wasn’t. She had the highest kicks and jumps on the squad and I could barely get my feet off the ground. I was kinda like a stump. She was very popular with the boys and I was their buddy. I loved to shop and she didn’t. I loved fashion and she couldn’t have cared less. She smoked like a truck driver and I was straight as an arrow. Her feet stunk and mine didn’t……you get the picture.
I was totally intimidated by her. I thought she was a “mean girl” so I steered clear of her and her cheerleader friends until one fateful day.
As I was walking into class, I noticed that Lynne had a booger hanging out of her nose. I really didn’t know if I should tell her or not. I wasn’t sure if she would mash me like a bug or if she would be grateful that I told her. I thought about it for a minute and decided that if it were me, I would want to know. I walked up to her tall, lean, dark, varsity cheerleader self and said, “You need to go and look in the mirror, you have something on your nose.” She didn’t mash me like a bug, she just smiled and said “Ok, thanks”. Within minutes she came bounding back into the classroom and said, “anybody who would tell me that I have a booger hangin’ out of my nose needs to be my best friend!” That, my friend, is how our forever friendship began.
For the next three years we were inseparable. We were thick as thieves. We laughed about stupid stuff. We shared our deepest secrets and defended each other at all costs. Real buddies, we were.
Then life happened.
I went away to Bible Collage and got married. She married right out of high school and divorced a few years later. I moved away to Arkansas and had four babies. She, then single, took care of her precious mother who was fighting Cancer and later took care of her father.
Throughout the years I would run across her number and give her a call. She would do the same. We just picked up where we left off……..as if we had just talked yesterday.
There was a long stretch of time though where we lost contact all together. I was sure our friendship was too far gone this time. It had been 29 years since we were in high school. A lot had changed, we had changed but I never forgot about my forever friend.
This past summer we were reunited at an “all school” reunion (thanks Ginger). Once again we were two peas in a pod. We stayed up until four in the morning, sharing stories from our lives. We laughed together and cried together and made plans to visit each other often.
A few months later she drove for 12 hours to come take care of me after a surgery. I knew then that we had something that we would NEVER loose again. Each other!
This post is a tribute to friends. True friends. No-matter-what-friends. Forever friends! To all of my friends, past, present and future, I LOVE YOU!
I encourage you……..re-connect today!
What a great story Tonya!! I still keep in touch with the girl who was my BFF in 4th grade even though she moved to Virginia in 5th grade. We’ve seen each other once since then (about 12 yrs ago). When she opened the door, it was like we were back in grade school! Even though we don’t see each other every day or even talk that much, when we do, it’s like we’ve never been apart!
I love Lynne just as much. She has never mistreated my daughter. Thanks Lynne Love You! MOM
Oh my goodness! Thank you Tonya for making me cry! What you didn’t know was, I would have loved to have been just like you. You always dressed in the best and was very stylish. I had on what ever had a blue light flashing over it. You wore some of the prettiest jewelry I have ever seen and was given jewelry by a boy in middle school. (which was probably a family heirloom) I had a initial ring that i wore and almost tore off the end of the booger holder. Lol : ) You never cared how I looked or what i wore. You loved me just the way I was. That is what is so cool about a best friend
I feel so blessed to have you as my best friend . There are people that will never be able to experience what a true friend is. Oh, and by the way i would drive to the end of the world to be with my best friend and all her kids : ) love your guts too! Bock Bock
P.S Tommy cried too!
I love to make Tommy cry!
Good Story..
I have one of those kinds of Friend.. Janet Kay Durham. We have only been friends for the last 8 years but in that time we both lost a parent ( me my Mom and Her her dad). We were there for each other. and we continue to be together no mater what happens to us. She is the bestest friend and I know that I can always call her and tell her anything with out judging or condemning each other. she is the best!!!
Everyone should have that kind of friend. Mine passed away shortly after High School and I still think about her. What a beautiful story.
I was given a great blessing to reconnect with one of my best friends from high school about 6 months ago. We have done a lot of “walking down memory lane” and have laughed till I peed my pants and have even shed a few tears. I don’t know how long God will give us to be back together because she is dying from a very rare disease (no treatment or cure). I am so thankful for every minute that we are getting to spend together. There is nothing like those “forever kinda friends”. Thanks Sharri for being one of mine.