BFFs

I was thinking earlier today about how much things change from childhood to adulthood. One thing that stood out in my mind was how, when I was a little girl, I had my ONE best friend...and each girl had their very own best friend. One that giggled with me, shared secrets, picked the worst fights. One that was certainly NOT my mom, my sister, or God forbid, a boy!

Then I thought about my life now...the best friends I have are not those silly childhood ones that came and went with each passing school year. The best friends in my life are in fact the complete opposite of what, as a child, I thought a best friend was!

I must say that the antiquated idea that a parent is a parent and nothing else is completely false. In fact, as I have grown up, I have realized that the idea is completely crazy. My mother has become one of my best friends, confidants and support that I could ever imagine. I can only hope that my children think of me how I think of her!

Several other of my greatest friends come in the form of sisters! I never considered my sister such a close friend until I realized just how much we both looked up to each other. My greatest desire is to be a Godly example of a sister, friend, daughter, wife and mother so that maybe she can learn from my failures, experiences and blessings and become the greatest person she can be. Her strength, both physical and spiritual, continuously amaze me! I have realized that even though she is my baby sister, I have much to learn from her!

My other sister and I share an amazing bond. Being the daughter-in-laws in the family has brought us closer than anyone could ever imagine. I admire her for the ease with which she loves and takes care of her husband and family and somehow still has the time to do all of the special little things like remembering birthdays, blogging ;), and of course, sending cards for any and every holiday to her favorite nephew. As a child, I never thought about the kind of sister-in-law I'd have when I grew up, but I am certainly glad that I got the one I did!

The most surprising friend that I realized I have is none other than my husband. Never in my life would I have ever thought that a boy could be my best friend. After all, boys have cooties! From the very beginning of our relationship, we developed the most amazing friendship I have ever encountered. We tell each other everything, know when there's even the slightest thing wrong, love spending time with each other...in fact, if we have the choice to do whatever we want, we really wouldn't care what it is as long as we're doing it together. He is the strongest yet sweetest person I know. He has a serious side yet can be extremely playful. He constantly surprises and amazes me! I am so ready to spend the next fifty years being his best friend. It will be a lifetime of friendship built with the most amazing man in the world.

Needless to say, the friends that I thought were my BFFs, aren't even close. Thank goodness we grow up and realize who our true friends are. Those that are closest to us...the ones right under our noses, are sometimes the best friends we could ever have. I am thankful for the wonderful friends and family that I have been blessed with and I hope that someday, I can be a blessing to each of them as well.