Chantilly, Virginia. Greenbriar West Elementary. 5th Grade. Jessica and I met.
We quickly developed an adhesion at our hips, which kept us together most of the time. Though she already had a twin sister, I was lucky enough to squeeze myself into their sisterhood for a few years.
Slumber parties. Secrets. Crushes. Amateur choreography.
We drove together to school everyday and then back home again. Most days were spent at her house after school for snacks, homework, bike rides, gossip...
Show Choir. Cheerleading. Shopping. Giggling, lots of giggling.
She's a bit of a kindred, this one. But after I moved away at 15, we eventually lost contact. Through the years, I wondered what had happened to my long lost best friend--where she might be, if she was married...well, Blogger and Facebook cured that.
After an 17-year-haitus, we reconnected and marveled that, up until last year, we were living just cities away from each other.
{sigh} Bummer. So, after a few months and several long emails, Jess said:Guess what, Lisa? We are coming down to Arizona for a visit--can we come see you?!
My response? Um, let me think about it, Long Lost Best Friend.....YES!
Our visit was long on nostalgia and short on time. Oh, too short. I met her sweet husband and gorgeous little boy, and we both found ourselves taking a moment every so often to say, "You really look exactly the same!" "You sound the same!" "Can you believe we are holding each others' babies right now?"
After the door shut behind her, I was quite decided that this will not be the beginning of another lengthy separation. I want her to live around the corner, like old times, and be my best friend and swap recipes {instead of jelly bracelets} and have our little babies grow up together...I'm feeling very sentimental, is it obvious?
However, it would not be fair for me to always get my way, so I will have to settle for a renewed friendship across statelines. We have emails, phonecalls, and occasional visits to satisfy.
So, Jess, for now I will leave you with an homage to junior high:
LYLAS
BFF
TTYL
Jessica, me, twin sis Sarah
Circa 1991
6 comments:
What a pretty gal. I've been meaning to ask you have your reunion went. Such fun. Cheerleader? I had no idea. Do you and Steve practice lifts together?
Yes, Jaimi, there are many details from my past that are yet unknown...And, no, I was always a base during the stunts. I was never tiny enough to be thrown up in the air!
this is getting a little crazy...our lives are like a circle - same place, different times. We lived in Chantilly when Bryson and I were first married - we lived in Grays Point condos on Rt. 50 right between the two entrances of the Greenbriar neighborhood...I know there was a Greenbriar Elem. back there, but I have no idea if it was West? We were in the Fair Oaks Ward...many years after your family moved away, but goodness that is crazy close!
Wonderful, Lisa. So sweet. I hope we can reunite someday soon, too.
How fun! Look how cute you were in junior high. Since we're the same age, those hairdos bring me right back. :)
Gotta love facebook! So cute to see you guys together. Jess was always one of the sweetest people I knew in H.S., too. And who is Summer? She was in F.O. with my parents?
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