Your whole life people tell you to not be afraid, try new things, and meet new people. Well if you suffered through those awkward years we called middle school, then you know as well as I do, doing those things are WAY easier said than done.

Elementary school is easy, everyone is naive, and no one knows much of anything about the ways of the world and we are all best friends. Unless you are the new girl, like I was. Apparently it payed off, because I was the new girl, I found my best friend the first day of first grade. Here we are, 15 years later, both in different places in life, one engaged (definitely her), one a soon to be nurse, and one just trying to be on Broadway, but no matter what we pick up where we left off like there was not a time that either of us was away. In first grade, nothing is hard, and the only real priority is what is for lunch that day and what time recess is. She is the one I have always turned to for boy drama, momma drama and playing mermaids in our swimming pools for hours.

By the time we survive junior high and make it to high school we already have our group of friends, but there are those few brave souls that venture out and talk to the kid sitting next to them in class. Apparently it payed off for me this time too. Sophomore year, she and I were both in the same history class, both with one (unfortunate) common interest that sparked a best friend forever kind of relationship. I must say this friendship has been tested, more times than we should probably count, but had it not, I can honestly say we would not be the friends we are today, because I don't consider her a friend so much as my sister now. We have cried over the same boy, as weird as it may sound, we are closer because of it. She is hundreds of miles away, but we talk everyday (usually we are talking and/or gossiping) like there is no distance between us. She keeps my mom side young, my hip lingo up to date, my sass in check and makes sure to remind me that I'm a princess even if others don't see it.

Once you make it through high school, good or bad you may or may not come out with a few forever friends. Moving past all of yesterdays drama to the days that shape you into you. College. A new town, away from your mom and dad for the first time, so much freedom, so much room to fail, and not to mention living with a total stranger? Sometimes I still have to remind myself what is so appealing about going away to college, but then I think back on my first few nights here and I remember. She is kinda shy at first, and you are both kinda opposite but kinda the same in every way. She is from one of your rival high schools, and in about five minutes becomes your favorite person. So she ends up being the girl who throws her pillow at you when your alarm is going off for school or work. She is the girl who sheds more hair in your lap getting ready for a night out than anyone else. She attacks you in your bed because your bed is more comfy, she stays up until all hours of the night with you, she plays your favorite dancing song just so she can record you dancing like an idiot. She drives with you to Tennessee and takes pictures with you on a train track. Most importantly she is the girl who is there and watches you fall apart as your heart breaks but you wont fall apart in front of anyone else; she ends up being the girl who doesn't just watch but she comforts you in the process and you know without her, there is no way you would've made it through in one piece. She is the church to my buddy, the red to my blonde and only one I will let wear my cowgirl boots.

As college continues you get a little braver and try new things, maybe even join a sorority. You meet your future apartment roomie, tinder date going best friend. It starts out small, "studying" in the library together, then "Studying" in a dorm room (no study, all gossip) Then one day it just changes into the, tell all about current and past boy problems, sit outside the cafeteria at 2 am together so she can tell you what you need to hear, going on long drives for the sole person of ranting to one another. Next thing you know you are going to your first college party with her and dancing the night away and having more fun that you knew you could have. She keeps me confident, she breaks me out of my shell, she keeps me looking good with her clothes, shoes and jewelry.

You start a new job, in a new state, you are bound to make some friends, right? RIGHT! I honestly have to tell you, Ive known her a few weeks, but these few weeks make me feel like I have known her my entire life. I truly believe that maybe our souls have been together somewhere else before, because we are the SAME PERSON. She challenges me to be a better Christian and calls me out when I don't go to church, she is excited to go on pointless spur of the moment road trips, she helps me crash a wedding, she wants me to tell her scary stories as we drive down a creepy road at night, she loves my crafts so much she lets me make them for her and then hangs them in her home. She and her husband are seriously GOALS. Just because you meet at work doesnt mean you cant be friends outside of work! She is the Rumple to my Bell, the disney to my princess and the artsy to my crafty.

Sometimes as humans we get down on ourselves and as a Christian it is so easy to question God. Why bad things happen, why we get hurt and feel pain and suffering. If you only take a single moment to look back on your life and see the moments that stick out, it is not the moment itself, but who you spent the moment with. I could not be more blessed to say I have the very best friends in this world. I love all of them so much, they are all so different and all hold a very special place in my heart and always will. "No matter how far apart...forever in my heart"

Stay golden girls!