When I was a little girl I saw "St. Elmo's Fire" for the first time and I remember thinking to myself, "Wow. I'd love to have a friendship like that."
I tried to form strong emotional attachments to my middle school friends, but it didn't work. I wasn't matured enough, wasn't desperate enough. I didn't need the support like I do today. As I've grown up, I've found my entire view on life has changed and so has my personality - how could I have possibly found those friends then?
I first met Larkayla when I was sixteen. How doesn't really matter, but I knew the moment I saw her she would (eventually) be one of the most important people in my life. She was sparkling with awkward vibration and I absolutely loved it. Her great sense of humor (very dry - like wine) and the creative blood that ran through her veins stunned me; I had finally met someone like me. Amazing.
Katelynn came later. She was someone I had never, ever expected to become my sister. She was full of laughter and joy, though she remained firm and independent. Her survival instincts have inspired me for almost two years now. I have never had a best friend like Katelynn before, and without her, I would not have known that love is without selfishness. She is conquering the world in California and I feel incomplete without her.
When I met Ashley, it was through Larkayla, so I immediately knew I would love her. Ashley is bright, she is wild, and she is kind. She is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen and her strength fascinates me. How someone could be as brave, as humble, and as hard-working as her is beyond my comprehension.
My friends. Three women who are battling the every day trials of life. We stroll through the city with our cat defense key-chains in trendy clothing. We eat at local pizza joints and scrounge for change in order to quench our thirst.
Sisterhood is important. Vital, even. As young women, we need to be surrounded by different personalities in order to balance our own. We need other people's difficulties to gather our own strength and to form wisdom.
From Larkayla, I have learned compassion and, through her, the grace of God shines upon everyone.
From Katelynn, I have learned love and how unconditional it is.
From Ashley, I have learned bravery and how to let go.
Three women. All different. All youthful. All radiant. All life and light. I thank God for their lives and pray for their safety every night. I have never wanted to watch someone succeed in life so much. I have never imagined I would befriend the most amazing women in the world - who truly embody the grace, rebelliousness, and sacredness of womanhood.
Life plays out like a film with them. I see streetlamps and the view from the sunroof. I see lounging at home. I see the blue of the Monopoly board game. I also see tears and laughter. I watch in my head as I recall days of mourning and hear the musical sound of laughter.
Here is the night: Larkayla's wry joke, Ashley's roaring laughter, and Katelynn's shrill giggling.
All of it is music.
