“So, are there any new kids in your class this year?” my mom asked while I ate the hot lunch she had prepared for me.
“A few. There’s one girl named Kristin,” I replied, my mouth full of grilled cheese.
“That’s nice. You should invite her over, ” she suggested.
“OK. What’s for dessert?”
That afternoon I walked back to school and saw Kristin. She had a brushed-out perm. I asked her if she wanted to come over after class and she said yes.
When the bell rang to mark the end of the school day we walked across the street to my house and ate some cheese and crackers for snack. We were fast friends and were soon spending every afternoon together. She sneaked a peek in my diary while I went to bathroom one day and I was furious. She tried to steal the butteriest piece of popcorn from the snack bowl while we watched Full House. She was my best friend.
We shared the awkward descent into puberty, and first crushes, and broken hearts, and bike rides to 7-11 for slurpees, and summer camp, and high school, and dreams for the future.
When I got married at 19 she didn’t try to stop me and she wore a blue dress and held my veil for me while the lake breeze tried to blow it in my face. Now, nearly six years later, her wedding day is nearing and I will be there, holding my belly, rounded by the growth of my second child, in the Rocky Mountains while she wears a white dress that will contrast her dark hair and she will marry the love of her life.
Who knew, that day in the fourth grade, what life would bring our way? The way our paths would merge, and then part, but always be held together by the bond of friendship we created as ten year-olds and made sure to never forget.
See you soon, Pisty.
20 Comments
Goosebumps. Not sure if it’s because my FFL have a similar story or not. Either way, weird how you end up one day with a friend you’ve had forever and seeing them off into adulthood.
Congrats to Kristin!
How sweet! I too have a BFF (FFL) that shares the same birthday as me. In fact, she is only 3 minutes older than I. I cannot imagine my life without her.
very nice Amanda.
You want to know what is funny? One day kristin and I decided to let each other read each others diaries when we were young. While I was reading hers, I read an entry that she had already snuck in my room (potentially with you) and had a full gammit at it. She is a sneaky one I tell you!!! Haha. But not sneaky enough to remember what she wrote.
Can’t wait to see you this weekend. It is going to be awesome!
Way cool. I have goosebumps, too,
I’ve never commented on your site before (although I’ve been reading for quite awhile and love it) but commenting on this post was a must! My best friends and I met in second grade and have stood by each other through many, many things including weddings and babies. There is nothing like these childhood friendships. Thanks for the great post.
I loved this Amanda.
While I treasure friends such as yourself that I have made here in town, there is something to be said for those FFL’s that we make.
As you know, mine is Krystal, and she is worth the effort to stay close.
I look forward to hearing all about your weekend :)
I too have goosebumps!!! What a great tribute to friendship! I think everyone needs a FFL! And, Full House? I had to buy all 8 seasons when they came out on DVD cause it was my favourite!!!
I met my FFl in 4th grade as well, and I am pretty sure she read my diary as well. We may not see each other nearly as often as we once did, but when we do it is honestly like no time has passed and for that I’ll always treasure our friendship.
Enjoy your time at the wedding, baby bump and all!
While you are in Calgary, Kendra, yourself and I should get together. Are you flying? I am minutes from the airport in my new house. On that thought – if you need picking up from the airport I could do that – we could grab a snack and I could drop you where you need to go. Hope to see you!
Awww…I almost cried.
And I was a turd to you to boot (although I see you failed to mention the time you painted red on the crotch of my shorts)!
I’ve been going through all my pictures to make a slideshow and it was a good reminder of all the amazing times we’ve had together…sliding down the railing at Hotel Sask, the cheezies that hurt your tummy, our movie/junkfood marathon in Revelstoke… thank you Amanda for the steady, unconditional, always accepting love you have given me – the last 16 years have been a blast, and as always, I love you.
Remember the Dust Bunnies. (best Grade 5/6 girls’ softball team in the history of NW Regina…Kristin played third and batted fifth; Amanda played first and batted fifth)
Aw. What a sweet tribute to the wonderful bond you and Kristin have.
Have a great time at the wedding this weekend. How I wish I would have been able to attend!
Sounds familiar. I’ll stand next to my best friend (also since fourth-grade) in August as she says “I do.” It’s a good feeling.
Very nice Amanda. I can’t wait to relive it all this weekend!
… (you know the tune) … “You make me feel so old”
Awe, love me a best friend.
I hope mine gets married someday. Otherwise, I’ll be an old hag looking Matron of Honor.
Enjoy!!!
What a cute story! Thanks for sharing :) Hopefully we get to see some great photos of the event!! Have a fantastic trip!
I didn’t know Kristin was getting married, that is so very exciting. She is such an amazing girl! It’s so awesome that you guys have stayed close for so long. And so neat to hear so many other people have that FFL, I’m a tinge green.
Hope the wedding is studpendous!
OH Amanda, how awesome to have a friend that has been there for you and is a vault of memories and secrets and inside jokes. I can’t believe you got married at 19! I didn’t realize that. My math skills must be rusty. Can’t wait to see you squeezed into a brides maids dress eating some cake.
This is so, so sweet.
I love your post but I’m amazed that you actually have such a clear memory of things in your youth. Perhaps I’m too old but I have no such memories. Good for you.
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