Amanda

I have a story to tell.

This picture was taken in probably the mid to late 80's....back when I was in middle school. Her name is Amanda.Amanda and I were best friends in every since of the word back in 3rd, 4th, 5th through...7th grade or so. We were typical girls growing up together. We had sleepovers, slumber parties, crushes on New Kids on the Block, lots of drama and many phone conversations. Then Amanda had to move suddenly in the 7th grade. When I say suddently, I mean suddenly. She was here one day, gone the next and I got a phone call after she was in her new town...many hours away. I was soooo sad. I had never lost a BFF before and it was very sudden. Anyway, we tried to remain friends, and fortunately for us, my mom travelled often to the town she then lived in and took me to spend a few weekends with her here or there. Those were treasured moments to me and I so looked forward to those times. On several occassions, she got moved around again and we lost touch here or there and most of the time we would gain contact again somehow. Pictured below is a picture of us the last time I saw her (I was probably in 8th grade or so...look how SKINNY I was!). I talked with her on a couple of random occassions, but it was sporadic to say the least.But then all of the sudden, she had to move again. Try as I might, I couldn't find her. She couldn't get a hold of me and sad as it was....we lost touch. I tried every phone number and address I had, to no avail. I felt that that was it. I knew I had forever "lost" her friendship. I mean, it was hard anyway...to keep up with each other when we lived sooo far away and we were sooo young and unable to just up and go see each other. Last time we talked (on the phone) I was probably 17, 18, 19...something like that.

I tried different things as I grew up, graduated college, became an adult, got married, had kids, etc. All kinds of people searches, talking with relatives, etc. It was useless I figured and I gave up.

Then I reluctantly joined Facebook a while back. I really didn't want to, but wanted to see what all the fuss was about. So I joined and started adding friends to my 'friend list'. And lo and behold, after a few months in....well, you can probably guess the story. My long lost friend found me! I had a friend request from the last person I expected to ever see again! Oh my gosh...I can't tell you how excited I was! I ran to Brad and told him my exciting news. Of course, he couldn't really appreciate the whole thing it was worth, so I called my parents and told them. And they were happy for me. I had reconnected with my all time longest best friend ever! And I think I cried - tears of joy. It's one of those type of friendships you just can't explain. I felt like we should be on Oprah or a Facebook commercial or something. Haha!

So, after communicating through emails and a few phone calls and learning what we've been up to, oh...the last 15 years or so, she planned a trip to come see us (my family and I). So, yesterday, it was so surreal - the day I thought I'd never see - but Amanda, my dear sweet friend from so long ago spent the weekend with us. I just can't even begin to explain - I still can't believe it. Really.

She hasn't changed a bit. She really hasn't. She is married and has two children - a 10yr old! and a cute-as-pie 2yr old. The 10yr old had a baseball game and couldn't make the trip, but we were able to meet the little girl.She gave Brooke a run for her money, but she loved Brenna and loved helping her with her pacifier. :-)We had a great time visiting and catching up. I swear all we did was talk till the wee hours of the morning. And we could've talked even longer. She filled me on family members, what she's been doing and how she's made such a great life and career for herself. I am so proud of her and what she has become! Without going into detail (to keep her privacy), I will just say she has gone through some major struggles in life and has had to overcome a lot. I have always admired her for not succombing to what she could've succombed to and think she is a pretty awesome person (if you can't tell by now). She has really made a great life for her and her family despite many challenges and I wish I could be half the person she has remained.

And despite all that...she is an awesome awesome friend. She is kind, warm, and accepting of me and everything I am. She is genuinely accepting. I don't think I could ever picture her as angry or selfish or rude or any of the other typical drama that comes with being a girl. She is just so real and grounded. She reminds me that there are good people in the world who care for others and who don't expect anything in return. She is just a great person.

We were able to pick up right where we left off 15 years ago. People change and you're never sure if you can get along with people you used to be friends with. I mean, last time we spoke, I was in high school or so and am now a completely different person. But we are STILL the best friends we could be. I miss her already and wish we could live in the same town. But we will definitely be planning another get-together very soon and many more chats and phone calls and emails. I will NOT lose this long-lost friend again.