Life long friends

Today started out as the day I could finally relax at work...as soon as I cleaned up from Family Fun Night (which went very well last night, thank you very much). It changed when Martha (a co-worker and friend) offered me a ticket to Erin's Slumber Party downtown, sponsored by B98.7. Frankly, I don't listen to the station, but it sounded fun and relaxing. Massages and pedicures with as much food and chocolate as we could eat and a good excuse to go out in public in my pajamas? Just the thing I needed after this so far very busy month, three events in three weeks is not an easy thing to pull off. Anyway, the first person I thought of was Angela, my best friend since high school. This was just the thing she needed as well, not to mention a really good excuse to get her out of the house. Not something that is very easy to do, especially the day of.

When we got there, we drove around the parking lot for 15 minutes trying to find a spot as someone left. That was frustrating. We got in there and got our free tote and realized just how many people were there. It was really stuffy. I ran into a few people I know (yes Steve I know, you can't take me anywhere), one who is a former co-worker and I haven't seen for about 5 years.

We quickly discovered that all the services were $5 a piece (a fabulous deal, but I understood free so therefore did not have any money with me) so that changed some plans. We found the food and the chocolate...wandered and looked at several of the booths for the vendors there (just about anything you could think of) and then quickly decided it was too noisy and too crowded, so we left to do our own pedicures at my house. After all, she was able to get away from the kids for a while and her husband didn't expect her home for quite a while.

Well, the pedicure didn't happen. We started talking. This has always interupted some things, although I can't complain. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in a long time. We talked about our teenage and college years, old loves and old boyfriends (yes they are different) and about "Those who must not be named".

It was wonderful to be reminded of the blessing of true friendships. Those friends that know your deepest, darkest secrets and stand by you regardless. There is something amazing about having a friendship that promotes conversation that flows seamlessly from those dark secrets and the healing so desperately needed to laughter and those crazy teenage moments. But I have to say my favorite part of the evening was simply driving down the freeway listening to old Bon Jovi songs and singing at the top of our lungs, just like we did when we were 17.

Unfortunately life and responsibility hit us again, and too soon for my preference. She has to work in the morning and I got home and realized how far from 17 I am.

But it was sure a good time while it lasted. I am so blessed to have the two close childhood friends I do. They help me keep close to the amazing childhood I had and I can't imagine my life without them.