overdue letter to my oldest friend

OD Friends:

Tonight I finally wrote a long-thought-about thank-you to my friend L, who has been my best friend since we were both in 5th grade. Over the years, whenever we drifted apart for a year or two, all it took was us in the same room for 5 seconds, and we were always right back where we used to be with each other. Now she and I spend a planned 4 day festival of our own making with each other for our annual girls’ beach weekend at a Texas beach each April. It is all about getting wonderful women together and not about the beach, which is only the backdrop for our weekend. Anyway, she brings the girls from Dallas (where L & I grew up and went to school together), and I bring my friends from everywhere (I live near Houston, but my friends live all over!) Over the years, we have amused ourselves by introducing each other to our separate acquaintances as each other’s “oldest” friend! She has now been my dear friend for 35 years!

So here is what I wrote to her in a card tonight. By the way, the card has a very small dog looking up at a very big dog on the cover, and inside it reads: You help me see things from a whole new perspective. Thanks for being a good friend. I wrote L’s name above the inside message, and then added:

I have been meaning to write this for so long — just over 3 months in fact! I want to tell you how much you helped me navigate FirstBorn’s wedding and all of my mixed emotions I was feeling as I gave my oldest daughter away. Like having her in the first place, the experience of letting her go was like nothing I could have imagined. While thrilled at her choices, her opportunities, and especially for her wonderful groom — there was a sadness and a sense of loss as I could not deny that while I proudly gazed upon a beautiful young woman — my little girl was truly gone forever. You in particular made me laugh and enjoy and just feel loved and special that day. You made me feel strong, surrounded by my friends and family, and ready to wish her well. You may never know how deeply you helped me that day, because we both have yet to learn what it will feel like when our sons marry, and perhaps it will be different.

All I know is that once again, you proved to me that you are truly my best friend ever, and that I am blessed beyond all reason to be lucky enough to call you so. I wanted you to know this and how much I treasure our friendship.

With So Much Love Forever,

13D