Time + Distance = No Change

Not long ago I had the great good fortune to be able to spend two evenings in a row with most of my closest high school friends. While it hasn’t been decades since we’ve been together, it doesn’t happen often, so two nights in a row was a pretty big deal. And pretty big fun.

One thing I truly find amazing is how quickly we reconnect. We fall right back in step almost like we were walking down the halls of HHS again. We are all such distinctly different personalities, living a variety of lifestyles, yet something melded all those years ago, forging a bond that remains unshaken by time, trials, distance, or absence. Perhaps it has something to do with sharing the formative years when everything from boredom with school, to one’s love life, to friendship, was felt with tremendous intensity.

Or maybe it’s because we share something so precious that it’s impossible to reproduce. We share a history. That allows us to reconvene with a gratifying level of acceptance. There is no judgment between us, at least none that I perceive, and no pretense either. It would be pointless. We know each other too well. We are, after all -- us. We were there during sleepovers and séances, crises of the heart and/or grounding, first beer, first love, and, well you know the rest. We were together at school in classes and clubs. After school we heightened the energy crisis by ceaselessly cruising “The Ville.” We’d finally go home only to get on the phone to touch base again. We would have considered Facebook a gift from God.

It wasn’t always idyllic. In fact it often wasn’t, but our friendships were breathtakingly vital to us. We absolutely needed each other in ways that I can’t say I totally understand, but I certainly do recall with complete clarity.

Our group has splintered a bit geographically, but emotionally? Never. We stay in touch, sporadically with words, but always with hearts. We have lived enough to know that life can be a tenuous proposition. People change and friendships end. But that doesn’t worry us because ours are committed relationships. We’re in it for the long haul. We accept what’s past, offer support in the present, and hold hope for a bright and bountiful future.

I am blessed to have my ya ya sisters in my tribe. You know who you are. Thank you. Love you. Always.