All My Best Material

All My Best Material

12/5/2014

I am the luckiest girl in the world. 

I have a best friend who loves me as much as she loves her own family.  She’s my cheerleader, my partner in crime, and my co-conspirator. I feel the same, and I can’t begin to imagine what my life would have been like without her.

I met Lisa one afternoon when picking up Asia after school. She lived two doors down from my mother’s house, and she had met my grandmother while walking her daughter to school.  It didn't take long for them to became friends and maintain the routine of walking the girls to their first grade classroom every day.

I remember that first day when my grandmother introduced Lisa to me and how I wondered if she was for real. She was so kind, so funny and this stranger I was meeting for the first time absolutely loved my daughter. Being an overprotective mom, I was suspicious, but after spending some time with her, I knew we had to be best friends.

In time, with my grandma’s influence, we adopted Lisa's family and made them our own.

I am convinced it is impossible to not love Lisa.   She is joy manifested. She’s positive, and caring, thoughtful and kind. She’s generous beyond measure and truly practices unconditional love. She's got a little something inside that just sparkles.

Lisa and I were nearly inseparable during and after her difficult divorce.  I’m tempted to air the dirty laundry of that fiasco for the sheer entertainment value of the revenge plotting that was discussed but never intended to manifest.  I do know that it would not serve to her benefit, so I will simply say - the karma wheel turns.

 After the divorce was final, the result was far better than anything I could ever have wished for.  It took some time, but Lisa found her love.  It was clear that once they found each other, they were simply destined to be.  I’ve never seen a truer match. 

I met Mike on his birthday two years ago in the beginning stages of their dating relationship and felt like I’d known him my entire life. It was like being reunited with my long lost brother. His heart, mind and intentions were so focused on Lisa that I didn’t even second guess my first impression. Mike has not ever given me any reason since that first meeting to question his love for my best friend.  Fortunately for me, he is also very good at sharing her. 

Their relationship gives me hope that what is right for me will find me in its own time. (When I take the time to think about it.)

I’m so fortunate to have her.

•  ·         My cheerleader

• ·         My confidant

• ·         My keeper of all deep dark secrets

• ·         My standing coffee date

• ·         My venting post

• ·         My conscience

• ·         My dearest most beloved friend

• ·         My soul’s compass

She’s heard all of my best material and has seen me at my worst.  I can’t help but think she loves me all the more for it.