As I read my friends’ journals and Facebook statuses, I see lots of mentions about what each of them is thankful for. New jobs, marriages, relationships, children, family; you name it, it has been posted, all in just the first few days of November. I am thankful for my family even if we have spats from time to time. They mean the world to me but my friends, well, they are the loud, dysfunctional family I have never had. Growing up basically an only child, it has been a wonderful experience to grow close to my friends and call them my family.
And when I lived two hours away from my family, those friends were there for me. Through breakups, changing of jobs, Sex and the City and panic attacks. If you were to take a peek into my apartment during one of my Christmas dinner parties, you would think it was one of the craziest looking groups sitting in there. We come from all different walks of life, our beliefs vary as well as our humor but we have one thing in common: we all love each other and have a ball whenever we are together.
So here is just a small list of those friends who became family over the course of the years:
- Robin, aka Bird, the oldest of my friendships, she represents to me many of the qualities that my mom has. We always laugh about it because we are so different. She has been there through thick and thin and now I normally threaten her with me teaching the girls things that she doesn’t ever want them to know
- Stacey, my BFF who has come to my rescue and sat in the ER with me when I finally had a panic attack that I could not manage. She is the epitome of grace and kindness. And with her, I have learned how to do many home improvement projects. Her hubby is the little brother I never had and his taunts remind me why it is kind of good to be the only kid!
- Marti, aka The Queen, not only has she taken care of me after surgery, she has helped me along the way in terms of wanting and acquiring all things Tiffany! I have mastered the whine from her and why Spanxs are a must in terms of dressing. But she has also given me a friendship that makes me squeal in excitement and reminds me that you are never to old to love on your friends.
- Amy, aka my twin, no matter where we go, we cause chaos. Never full of grace, we tend to walk into walls, trip over carpet and we both laugh incessantly when the other gets injured; not in a cruel way but in the way of, “yep, I could so do that to!” She had the daunting task of listening to me go on and on about food the day of my surgery. As well as trying to explain it all to me while I was higher than a kite. Thanks for the cherry popsicles!
- The Marketing Ladies ~ with all the hen pecking you all do, well, it is a wonder I am still here! Thanks for the laughs, the lectures as well as letting me share with you some of the not printable on this blog kind of stuff. And thanks for the wild weekend that you spent with me. My cat, my apartment nor my neighbors will be the same!
- Sonia! We were bonded as sisters the day I joined the sorority and I am so glad I did it. I always love hearing whatever it is you are going to say because more than likely it will be shocking. And I cannot wait to meet your little one this spring. And thank you for the line, “I’m not going to lie. . . ” because it is a great little line to use when I am going for the comedy bit in my life.
There are plenty others but this little group has become a fun little family to be around. You laugh at my jokes, we laugh at my love life and because we are all so different, I, at least learn so much from each of you.
So an early Happy Thanksgiving to my friends, you all have made an impact on my life and I thank you. Thank you for putting up with me and if Sonia is correct, I will continue to cook for you if that means you will stick around!
Stumbling Through Life 