ode to my friends

I was on an emotional rollercoaster today- started off the day feeling happy and confident, but something inconsequential happened that felt monumental and as a result, my great mood turned ugly. But I vented my concerns to a friend and within an hour, she replied and I felt better. Emails from this friend usually do make me feel better. This friend does not simply tell me what I want to hear but she has this amazing way of helping me see things from a different perspective and what might appear ugly is often much more attractive with different lighting. This friend always helps me see things in a different light.

What happened today reminded me of how blessed I am to have such great friends. And while I love and need all of them, each is special for different reasons. The following is an ode to my friends. Although none of these are mutually exclusive and there is certainly some overlap, you might recognize yourself in here.

The friend who calls when you are already in bed or comfy on the couch watching television and talks you into getting dressed and going out.  You will always have fun with this friend but beware, you might wake up with a nasty hangover and memories of sucking face with a 22 year old.

The friend who knew you well before puberty and can remind you of all of the fun you had when life was simple – before boys and careers and biological clocks were even on the radar. The friend who reminds you of all the times you ate spaghetti and ended up wearing it all over face and clothes. The friend who might not be up on the day to day goings-on in your life but the friend who is like a sister and who you know will be your friend when you are both wearing dentures, hopefully not for another 4 decades.

The friend that has the pleasure of  knowing your issues and insecurities inside out and remains steadfast in his reassurances even though he knows the likelihood of his wisdom sinking in permanently is slim.

The friend who consistently seeks your guidance, advice and reassurance and makes you feel wise and needed.

The friend who you know is amazing and wish she saw what you saw. This is sometimes also the friend you want to shake some sense into but know she has to find her own way.

The friend who enables you to let your bitch flag fly by participating in making petty comments about other women and man bashing. (I only do this once a month…)

The friend who sets you straight by reminding you that there will always be prettier girls and douchey guys but a) deal with it and b) deal with it.

The friends who showed you true loyalty by loving you even after you puked in the radiator freshman year of college and the suite smelled for days. At one point, these friends knew all your secrets because they lived with you. They saw you at your best and worst and couldn’t care less that at your best and at your worst, you were probably drunk. Even as the years pass, these friends will hold a special place in your heart and you will always smile thinking about the good times and hardly remember the bad times.

The friend who has always been there throughout the years and even though the degree of closeness you share fluctuates depending on a variety of factors from physical distance to having different social circles, she will be the first person you probably call to share the good news and, God forbid, the bad news.

The friend you’ve only known a couple of years who has become a constant in your life – your “go to” friend for social events, email exchanges and text messages. The friend(s) who is always up on your life and vice-versa. You might not know this friend as intimately as some of your others but you love her just as much.

The friend who always comments on your facebook status.

The friend who knows when it’s time to finish a blog.

To all of my friends, I love you and thank you for loving me – Just as I am.

5 Comments

  1. Alisa on July 7, 2011 at 12:23 am

    I love you, too, Mers.

  2. Meredith on July 7, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Thank you Alisa! Remember, open invitation to crash if you need a night or two out in NYC with an old friend. XOXO.

  3. Abbe on July 10, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    Awwwww! Love you too! 🙂

  4. Meredith on July 11, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Glad you finally found the time to read it, Abbe! Can’t wait for the Dominican Republic!

  5. Ronni on July 12, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    It’s not really me that brings up the spaghetti…but its one of my Dad’s fondest memories 🙂 love u! xxoo

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