Best Friends Forever

I remember growing up and having a lot of friends. Girls who went to church with me. Girls who I knew at school. Girls who were my cousins as well as my friend. But there was one who was my best friend. You know the type. The one you share all your deepest secrets and feelings with. The one who is a part of the crazy things you do.... those things that all you have to do is say "remember driving past that little house" and they crack up laughing with you and everybody else stares at you like you are nuts. She's the one who will walk a mile and a half with you to the local Burger Chef, just to pass a cute guy that hangs out on the corner uptown. She's the one who you call before the skating party for church and ask "What are you wearing?" She's the one that co-ordinates her clothes with yours so the two of you feel like you fit in. She's the one who lays awake at the sleepover listening with you to Elvis sing "You Were Always on my Mind" as you bemoan the loss of your first true love. She's the one who you grow up with, then move away and don't see each other for years at a time. Then one day, when you meet again, you slip back into the laughter the shared secrets and the girlish giggles. She's the one who sits with you while you cry at the loss of your father. She's the one who, years later, loses her father so you travel over 300 mile to be there for her like she was for you. She's the one who, no matter what life throws your way, no matter how much time passes by, no matter how long it's been since you spoke, you will think of her when you see the "Best Friends Forever" on clothing or key chains or notebooks of today's young girls. And you will smile. Because you know that through the years and through the changing times, you are truly Best Friends Forever. So for my best friend, Teresa, I love you and miss you and hope you are doing well.