The mate(s) for my Soul

When I first moved to New England I was a little scared about making friends. I sometimes have issues with finding people that I like... and then if I do like them it becomes the issue of continuing to like them. I tend to get more along with those of the opposite sex due to the less extent of outward drama. In High school I was lucky enough to find good friends, and most of those shriveled away after graduation but a few really stuck (Especially you Kaylee). In college it was the same, and again one really stuck (That would be you Nicole). Now, those friendships have been at times challenging to keep up with. We all have our own lives and things get in the way of spending quality time with each other. So you can see my concern when it came to moving 3,000 miles away.

Kaylee and I had the most amazing time that Summer before I left. We literally laughed for months straight. My body had made a permanent imprint on her couch, and her boyfriend (now Fiancé) was forever annoyed of our jokes...and especially the dancing. Our friendship had endured High school and all the drama that entailed, College with me being five hours away and not coming home a lot, and now post college. Lots of history and not always making the best decisions, but so so many memories. I cried when I had to leave her. "Was it ever going to be the same?". 

First off, was I ever going to make actual friends in New England? Was I going to have 'school friends' but no 'weekend friends'? Yikes. "What was I getting myself into?!" I was going to move across the Country and have only my dog to come home to. And what would happen to my friendships at home? Were they going to forget about me? Would those too just fizzle away like others had when the distance got the best of us? "What the hell was I thinking?!?!" It was a pretty intimidating time, friendships are important. And I wasn't the most accepting person when it came to new people. Also, my 'resting bitch face' doesn't help in the matter of coming off as a super kind person (Thanks to my grandmother and mom... glad I inherited that from you guys).

It's a life changing situation when you pack up every thing you own and leave all your loved ones behind to start a new life somewhere far away. It's scary to leave the people that you are comfortable around with no guarantee of how things are going to turn out. It's a leap of faith and it's damn near the scariest thing I have done thus far.

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So let me paint you the picture. Its August 11, 2014 - My first day of class at UMass. I've only lived in the State for two weeks, I don't remember anyone from orientation. I walk in the door to the student lounge and walk to the back. Someone starts talking to me, vaguely remembering her as we spoke about our relocating and how the new living situation is going. All the sudden this blonde girl interrupts us...

"Where in Washington are you from?!", all giddy and cheerful. My first thought "Who the heck is this chick?". I quickly just say "Seattle", nobody knows where Spanaway/Graham/Tacoma/Puyallup is anyway. She responds with "Oh? But where EXACTLY?". "Who the heck is this girl? Why is she talking to me?". My response, "You wouldn't know". And she has the nerve to say "No but really, where? My brothers live in Washington." So I decide to humor this girl, I mean she's not going to know what I'm talking about and its really a waste of time.. but whatever. "Puyallup/Tacoma" I very quickly respond. "OMG thats where my brothers live!!!!". My mood suddenly changes and I want to know more. Her brothers live 5 minutes away from the house that I spent my almost 24 years of life! We talk the rest of the time in the lounge and when everyone walks over to the classroom, we sit by each other. We end up finding out that we are in the same track, which means we are stuck with each other for the next three years

I know what you're thinking "Aww how cute".

We ended up hitting it off from the start. I remember making plans with her to hangout and she showed me around Worcester. She was a native and became my personal tour guide. Quickly enough we became attached at the hip. Spending 90% of our time together, it was insane. I actually had a friend, and I actually liked her! In the last 9 months we have become extremely close. Knowing practically every dirty secret, and skeleton we are hiding in the closet. She knows when I'm having "one of my off days" and gives me exactly what I need, a punch in the face... no but really.

From the very beginning I was attending her family cook outs and other various events. I spent Thanksgiving with her family, attended her cousins birthday parties, helped her babysit the kids, went to her house for Easter, and lots of other occasions. I felt like I had a family away from home, such a great feeling. We've joked, that her family probably thinks we are lesbian lovers because I am always around, haha. When it's snowing, I help shovel her driveway, and trust me shoveling is not a good time. When we're bored we watch stupid videos online and sometimes we make our own (no you can never see them). 

It's really funny when she introduces me to old friends, they find out I'm from Seattle area and immediately respond with "Bri has family there!" or "Thats so crazy!" It really is though. What are the chances that I would meet someone that has connections with where I grew up and then end up becoming their friend?. It's not a coincidence, but a Godwink.

The other day I was on my way home from church and grocery shopping. She called me and wanted to know what I was doing. I told her and told her she was welcome to come over. So I get home, pull into my drive way, and theres her car. Unlock my front door, and there she is... sitting at the kitchen table. Thats the kind of relationship we have. She's at my house when I'm not even at my house (she has keys, don't worry no breaking and entering). I've never even used her doorbell.. I couldn't even tell you if she has one. That's our friendship in a nutshell, way past a stage 5 clinger. I wouldn't be surprised if one morning and she's there drinking coffee and reading the daily paper with Teddy on her lap. 

I never thought in a million years I would have a relationship like that with someone other than my husband (still somewhere in the future). But I do. So here's to my friendship that I hold so near and dear to my heart. Just know that I appreciate you and thank God that he made someone in New England that can actually handle me and my craziness.

I feel beyond blessed with all my friendships, each one is unique in its own way. I love that I can be 100% my self with each of them, and never have to worry about being judged. I trust them with my life, and I know that my secrets are safe with them. The memories we've created will last a lifetime. My hope is that someday my two Best Friends can become friends of their own (I've realized I must have a thing for Blondes). Thanks for being the mates for my Soul.

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Disclaimer: My sisters fall into a completely different category, as they are the puzzle pieces to my heart. Without them I am not whole and nothing in this world could ever replace their relationship.