Childhood Friends

I’ve been thinking about childhood friends lately and how I wanted to incorporate my thoughts into a blog post (because I’m still figuring all this out!).  I had a few ideas but nothing concrete until I read a Facebook post from my oldest daughter.  We are getting ready to PCS to Japan in less than a week and I think it’s starting to hit home with all three of my kids.  She wrote a tribute to her best friends here in South Dakota.  It was very well written and had me tearing up by the end.  After all, I know a couple of these girls quite well.  Her two best friends simply walk right in, day or night, even if Kaleigh isn’t here.  They are good girls and I will miss them as well!

I was gone over Valentine’s Day this year to hang out with my daddy while my mom went back to work.  I wanted to surprise Nick and the kids with a little something so I elicited the help of my neighbor to set it up.  I had gifts for each of them hidden across the street at Marlene’s house and the morning of, called her with the “All clear!  Go, Go, Go!” signal.  I totally forgot to warn my friend that sometimes Kaleigh’s friend hangs out at our house before she goes to work in the mornings.

Apparently, Emaleigh came over that day and they mutually scared the living daylights out of each other!  I felt bad for laughing but couldn’t seem to stop as Marlene relayed the encounter and then again after I came home when Emaleigh told me what happened.

I remember simply walking into a friend’s house without needing to knock.  My parents were not in the military but we moved around a lot when I was really young.  In fact it wasn’t until I was a teenager that we stayed put for any length of time.  Being good enough friends with someone AND knowing the family well enough to make myself right at home was a rare gift.  I can empathize with my kids because I know what it is like to be the “new kid” time and time again.  No complaints though!  I believe that impacted who I am today!

One of my best friends from high school came to South Dakota for a family vacation this past week.  Tassjie and I got to go hang out with Everlean and her family for an afternoon.  It was so(!!) much fun!  After a couple of hours, her fiancé looked at me and said, “Okay, so I have to ask.  You were in high school together, right?  What’s the dirt on Everlean?  Tell me all her embarrassing moments.”  I quickly informed him that we didn’t do anything embarrassing!  Ever jumped on this one “SEE!!  I TOLD you there’s nothing embarrassing from high school!” 

Only one I could find online so it'll have to do! (rest of my pictures are packed!)  Kenya, Jenn, Anna, Estelle and Everlean in the front (right)  I'm sure we were doing something crazy!  Had to be a game day in the winter since we were all in uniform!

We sat there and laughed about some of the crazy things we did, but in looking back, I don’t find myself feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable.  Perhaps there might be a little shame here and there, but nothing embarrassing.  As we sat there talking we couldn’t help but decide that all in all, we were good kids!  We hung out with a great group of friends and we did just about everything together as a group!

At Mt. Rushmore--113 degrees in the shade, man it was HOT!

Our 20 year reunion is coming up here in a couple short years—YIKES!  It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been two decades since we all hung out and did just about everything together!  When we graduated and went our separate ways, to college or straight on into life as an adult, we didn’t have all the options for communication that my kids have today.  I still have a few letters (yes, handwritten letters that came in an envelope with a postage stamp) from those early days after graduation.  Phone calls were made from land lines and had to be kept short and sweet because we paid for long-distance!  Gradually we all grew apart as we grew up but I’m happy to say the friendships didn’t die! We’ve been able to reconnect through Facebook and it’s like the years between melted away!  I definitely think that the friends one has in childhood shape a person into the adult he or she becomes!

It’s much easier to stay in contact today!  The actual distance between friends is only limited by one’s Internet connection!  We have cell phones with unlimited plans, Skype (for free—how cool is that?!), Facebook; the list could go on and on!  I am excited about our upcoming move to Japan and happy that the distance between Rapid City and Tokyo need not be measured in miles and time zones. My kids don’t need to lose contact with the friends they’ve made here and I can’t wait to meet the new friends who’ll simply open the door and walk right in!

Can't resist posting a picture of my girls!  Emaleigh, Kaleigh, and Devann.  Homecoming Sophomore year. If my pictures weren't already packed I'd put one of me and Everlean (and Anna, Estelle, and Pattie!!) from one of our high school dances!  I look forward to seeing a picture from these three in 20 years!!