I blogged the other day about how much I loved Carlie and decided that I was doing a disservice to the 3 ladies that had the most influence on shaping my character as a teenager. I grew up in Iowa, for those of you who do not know, and was very lucky to find these 3 friends. Many circumstances in my life had to happen so that I was in the right place at the right time to meet them.
Torie and I were friends the longest. We met in 8th grade and neither one of us liked the other. She didn't like me because I "went out" with the boy she liked. Remember in 8th grade "going out" with someone means avoiding eachother at all costs and it lasts a whole 3 days. The irony in this story is that our sisters were best friends! One night I was so bored and Britt was going to a movie with Torie's sister Steph. I told Britt ot have Steph ask her sister what she was doing and we ended up going to see "My Best Friends Wedding." After that we were inseperable. We have shared so many great times as best friends, so many memories. Torie loved to shop and I hated it but we did it anyway. It was in her blood and I remember always going to the mall with her and her mom and the farmers market and garage saleing. I will never forget how she ALWAYS wanted a strawberry and pineapple shake but the "one girl" at Sonic was the only one who made it right. Or the time she couldn't stop laughing in art class because her blood sugar was so high. When she finally calmed down a friend looked at her and said, "THE" and she lost it again! I remember when her mom died after I had moved out here, and aching for my friend in a way I didn't know was possible. Last year I was able to go to Iowa for Torie's wedding and see her happily married to a wonderful guy who makes her incredibly happy. Just recently I introduced her to Edward, and now we're able to share out very fond thoughts on him! I'm so proud of her and the woman she has become. I'm proud to call her my best friend.
Kristina and I met next. I always remember the first time I met her. I thought she was a total snob. (Can you see how I tend to be indifferent to the people I now term my best friends?) She was the new girl and very shy, so naturally I just assumed she was a snob and wouldn't want to be my friends. I finally decided maybe she just needed someone to talk to her and started asking her all of these dorky questions (so like me!) such as, "What's your favorite color?" It's a wonder that she even kept on talking to me. I will never forget late night show choir bus chats, dancing to N'sync and Cher late at night, or eating...we liked that! Kristina sure did like to sleep...she was always the only one who could sleep the whole time on the show choir bus, and I think she was always the one to sleep in the latest. I will never forget the time that I rode to work with her just because her car was turning 200,000 miles. We used to lay out by my pool and then watch Passions (the dumbest soap opera ever, though I think they are all dumb!). Kristina was always someone to count on and a great listener. She could alwasy make you feel happy, and always told you the truth...no matter how much it would hurt. We still keep in contact, though sporadically, and I know we will always remain friends. I miss her a lot, and wish we were closer to share more memories. I'm proud of her and I think she is so strong. She's not one for sentimentality so I don't want to get too sappy, but I love ya girl!
Last, but most definitely not least, Courtney. I honestly don't know what high school would have been like without her. The first memory I have of her is in study hall our Freshman year when I thought she had a pager. Not a big deal, but I coulnd't figure out why she thought she could walk around school with it. (That was back in the day when you weren't even supposed to have your cell phone at school and texting was non existent!) It was really just her insulin pump. (Can you tell I also seem to attract diabetics?) We didn't really become friends until our sophomore year when we got to know eachother in show choir. That's when I learned just how crazy she was! I will never foget the time we almost drowned in her car because we drove into a flood, or the time when I turned the wrong way out of Perkins into oncoming traffic. Needless to say, anytime we were driving together was an event! One of the dumbest things we did was drive in the middle of nowhere while it was dark to try and scare ourselves. We found an old cemetery, but couldn't work up the nerve to go into it because a car appeared out of nowhere behind us. Bowling was also a HUGE highlight of our friendship. We founded the Friday Night Bowling Crew and made up random bowling names for eachother. Courtney is also one of the strongest people I know and have the most respect for. I don't think she knew then or now how much stronger she is than me. I am proud to call her my friend.
These 3 women have probably impacted me in more ways that they will ever know. This blog in no way can explain the feelings I have for them. I will forever be indebted to them for their friendship and can only hope that I gave half to them of what they gave to me.
Me, Courtney, Kristina, Torie in '05
2 comments:
Anyone who has you as a friend is very lucky! I should know!
That was an awesome blog. What lucky friends you all are to have each other. I bet its tough living so far away now.
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