We now know why you had to be friends with me.
You and I have known we were supposed to be friends from many, many years ago. No, we didn't grow up down the street from each other. Our parents weren't friends. We didn't have friends of friends.
Honestly, it was the cliche that brought us together. "We were sorority sisters" We joined the same sorority. Our sophomore years, not freshman. Then, as we proclaim, "The day the Gods got together" and put us in the same room together at the house our junior year.
You go through "rush" (where you/they decide which "house" where you will belong) and they tell you OVER and OVER again: "You will know these girls for the rest of your life". Really? Didn't believe it for a moment.
Me: it's a great way to meet people and "belong". We all want to belong.
Then, we were put in a room together. There were two others girl there too - in the same room. We both had the bottom bunks. We both looked at each other like "okay, what do we do now?". Want to go to The Chicken? YES. A friendship was born.
23 years, a couple trips through Europe, lots of guys, lots of men, lots o stories, a few marriages, a few kids. We've known for years why we were given each other.
The Yin to my Yang. Wait, I was the Yin to your Yang.
About 16 years ago, the boys dad and I were living in California (pre-boys). I remember telling her "Oh, you can't see this rental house, it's so not okay". Her answer "I have to see it, I live vicariously through you".
Me: NO, are you kidding?? I'm the one whom lives vicariously through YOU!"
You see, we are truly very different, but together, we make one. As we have all learned in life, soul mates arrive in all shapes and sizes and places. They arrive to teach you about YOU. They help you become the better person. I can't imagine my life without you. You have helped me well, find me - but without YOU, there would be no ME, nor YOU.
This year on Halloween though, we again learned why we are friends. We once again were shown why we had to know each other.
You see, I was given boys. Carolyn was given a girl. However, this "girl" was "NOT THE ONE I ORDERED". Beautiful, great hair, charming and well, how do we say this "spirited".
She likes dolls. She likes make-believe. She likes all things girl. (the daughter that is).
HOWEVER, she is part Aunt Leasa
She walks on the inside of her feet. The doctor told Carolyn, "the best thing you can do, is let her run around barefoot - it will correct itself". Carolyn says, "Her Aunt Leasa will like that".
Every year in March, they come to Colorado for her birthday trip. A couple of years ago, as she is climbing on to the trampoline, while it is snowing, with no socks or shoes on. She looks back at us and says, "I'm NEVER going back" With only the full conviction a 4 year old could muster.
Then, Tuesday, it was Halloween. For the first time in 15 years, I didn't have a kid in a costume. Everyone tells us "you will miss these years". Not me, I enjoy the times as they come. Halloween though proved me wrong. There were no costumes this year. Two years ago when I ran the marathon, it was on Halloween. Only there is no Halloween in Greece. It was weird then too.
I miss my "heroes". I miss my "Woody & Bulls Eye".
Hmmmmm, wonder what Marie is this year. (BTW, I talk to Carolyn at least twice a week) I don't know why this hasn't come up? Hmmm..
Then, true to Carolyn's form - I receive a text Halloween night with the picture.
Let's see:
She has been Dorothy, a princess, I think a bumblebee
This year:
Bethany Hamilton
The lead from Soul Surfer - professional surfer whom lost her arm to a shark bite.
She's dressed as Bethany, the professional surfer, with her board shirt and surf board.
It brought tears to my eyes. Of course it did, it had to do with Hawaii.
I'm sorry Carolyn. Maybe one of the boys wives/girlfriends will want to go shopping with you. Or maybe, we might have to teach you to surf too.
Not that we didn't know, but now at least you know the wave you are going to ride with Marie. Call me anytime - scratch that, you were there, you can handle this.
I'm sorry. :-) Sorta.
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