May 14, 2001 my friendship with a girl name Tiffany Lynn Taylor began. At that time, I was big into the whole "chat room" thing (way before MySpace and Facebook). There were some guys hassling this girl and I just dropped a comment saying "Ignore them, guys are jerks." With that, she sent me an IM. From there we just started talking. We clicked on so many levels; the only downside - she was from New York, I am from Michigan. We really wanted to exchange information but both of our parents refused that request. Still leary of online predators and whatnot they told us we would have to wait atleast six months, get to know each other a little more first. So, six months passed and I asked my parents if I could give her my address...they gave me permission, under a few conditions, it had to be through MSN IM, they were going to be standing there when I did it, and she had to send hers at the same time. We finally got each other's addresses and the letters began. Sad to say, I no longer have those letters; at her request, I burned them. Anyway, we started writing, sending cards, sending pictures, etc. She became one of the few people I could truly open my heart to. She was there when MY grandma and three of my friends died. I was there when her grandparents died and other things happened. I don't know if it's the distance that gives us the courage to be so open, or if it's just because we really do just understand each other REGARDLESS of the distance, but whatever it is, I don't hold things back from her, nor she from me. She has truly become my best friend.
Some people say that it's impossible to be a "best friend" if you've never met. I tell them they're wrong. It's all about the connection. I even get laughed at when I talk about it. One particular guy at work always makes a joke about me being "too old to have a pen-pal." I tell him the same thing everytime...she's not my pen pal, she's my best friend, but if meeting her is the only way to set our friendship "in stone" then that day has come....and I couldn't be more excited.
In June, with my cousin and her friend, I will be heading out to New York to meet my best friend. After 7 years of dreaming about this day, it's finally going to become a reality. I know her and she really knows me, but I still keep asking myself...."what am I going to say, how am I going to react when I meet her?" There are a million things running through my mind, but I think I know deep down, that we're just gonna pick up as though there's never been a distance between us. Another bonus to this adventure is that she will have a little ankle-biter for me to meet when I get there. She's due to have her son May 14, 2008. Now the cool thing about that is, well, scroll back up and read the first line of this blog....done? Then you'll realize that May 14 is the same day our friendship started, only 7 years back. Coincidence? Maybe...maybe not, but VERY COOL in my book.
In so many ways and for so many reasons, I can't wait for June to get here. I can't wait to finally hug my best friend, maybe even have a coffee with her. All the things we've dreamed of doing together...we'll actually have that chance. Yes, it may only be for a few days, but those few days with my best friend will last me a lifetime. She's the greatest friend (truly) that's come into my life, and at the times I've needed her the most, she been there. She's always honest with me (once in awhile, brutally) and she's also always been so encouraging and supportive. I hope I've been the same way with her. So here I am, counting down the days til I meet my best friend; Tiffany Lynn Taylor. It should be fun.
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