Friends are hard to find, harder to keep.

Tomorrow afternoon I am having lunch with my oldest and dearest friend. We have known each other since we worked together at a local movie theatre starting when we were both 16 years old. We will both turn 36 in the next few weeks. It hit me today that that is 20 years. Wow, do I feel old now. We have been through so much together. We have commiserated over guy issues, academic pursuits, and have dealt with religious differences as she is a devout Catholic and I grew up Southern Baptist although I am now Lutheran. We were fascinated by our differences yet we are so much alike. She has been there for me for 20 years now and I hope she feels like I have been there for her. I cried for joy the day she told me she bought her own home, and when she showed me pictures from her dream trip to Scotland. She was with me hours after the birth of my two children, escaping her position in the hospital lab for a few moments to celebrate with me. We have laughed, celebrated, and cried together over the years. This kind of friendship is hard to find. I have had many friends over the years, but she is the one that has always been there. I have discovered that friends are hard to find, and harder to keep. If there is anything I have come to count on is that, with the exception of my husband and sister, she is the person I can always count on and trust. I love her dearly, and hope she will be in my life forever.