Back in the Saddle

Well, I tackled another challenge today; namely, I got in a car and drove again - in Miami traffic - for the first time in two years. And to be honest, getting behind the wheel of my mum's car was like riding a bicycle again. Something I had not forgotten, only I thought I had. Hell, I even had some worries that I might try to drive on the wrong side of the road or maybe even take a left turn on red. But no worries. I got to where I was going and home safely, listening to music with bass (this is Miami after all) all the way there and back. Sometimes it really is amazing how easily you can fall back into a way of life you thought you had left behind.


In its own way, sometimes picking up where you left off is a good thing. Following from the last post, one of the reasons I was out and about tonight was the chance to finally see my best friend again (yes, the stunningly gorgeous girl to the left of this post). I would not be lying to say that this girl knows me better than I sometimes know myself. And like the good friend she is, she has never been afraid to tell me exactly what is on her mind. And vice versa. She has been there through my heart aches and my luck in love, through ups and downs, and sometimes in just the in-between parts of life. The boring bits that only people who know you well are there for.

When I lived across the country, she and I would sometimes talk seven times a day just because we could or talk for hours at a time, sitting on the phone in silence - doing what we needed to but glad for the companionship. She is the only person I have ever watched a football game with cross country (and had a better time than at most bowl parties I have had the privilege to attend). When she lived in England and I was here, we talked when we could and I was one of the first person to be called when momentous things happened: job, life, love. Whatever was important at the time - no matter the cost or the time. And when I was living in England and roles were reversed, she was the one person that significant relationships knew they had to please in order to be someone I could consider a serious contender. Her stamp of approval is like the stickers they put in clothes: "inspected and passed by C"

All of this to say that some friendships truly do make life. This girl is the person I turned to and really ranted about my life about six months ago, and I could actually open up and share with someone exactly how much things were affecting me, without feeling like I might be burdening them unnecessarily or that what I said would provoke unwanted and unwarranted concern. This was the person who knew I did not need platitudes or cuddling: instead, I gained an insight into how things were with my friends. And while the phrase misery loves company might be true, the exchange was rooted in a much deeper understanding. This girl is the one person to not tell me how happy I must be to be back home; the one person I can actually be honest with and know that she completely understands. We may joke about the idea that I am following in her footsteps, but I would consider myself only so lucky to do so. And so I know she understands.

Over the years I have known her, it seems to have been just my luck to share my life with her. Sometimes I joke about the fact that I can't even remember how we met but I do know that our friendship was sealed when I sat down across from her one summer, listening to her tell me about her current relationship, and thinking that I did not know this person well enough to be sharing all these secrets. And years later, I know her well enough to know most of her secrets. And she mine. If you ever wanted to get some dirt, you could do no worse. If you ever want to know what would be the perfect ring, proposal, wedding day for me, this girl would know. No wonder she is the person who will stand next to me should I ever get married - more than likely, she is the friend who got me there with advice, support, and encouragement. The kind of friendship you can never put a price on, and hopefully you will all be lucky enough to know.