People need People

Will any one out there admit to liking that classic Barbra Streisand song, "People"? I will! My mom used to sing it a lot... "People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world." It's actually a profound statement.

There came a time in my life where I realized I wanted- and needed- friends. I was in college. I had many superficial relationships with people that I didn't have much in common with, and I knew there had to be more. I had heard about and seen best friends interact, but hadn't experienced it for myself (I am not counting the grade school/middle school best friends who made me sign a contract stating that I was in fact their best friend). So I started praying... and praying... and praying. "Lord, I would really like to have a best friend, someone I can really count on and trust; a kindred spirit, someone who gets me and accepts me for who I am..." Something like that anyway.

Several years later, after I left California and moved to Ohio, I found a church. And that church had a basketball team with some cute guys on it. One day I went to a game and finally met my best friend.

I wish I could remember all the ins and outs, all the events that created our relationship. Our first time hanging out was at Don Pablos, I do remember that! Since then we have had many fun moments centered around food. Once we ate ourselves into severe stomach pain at P.F. Changs, and I can't count the late night trips to Dairy Queen and Coldstone Creamery. We had a love affair with food alright. We shared a love of food, and now we share a commitment to eat right and stay healthy.

I remember this this one service where everyone was running around the church while the band played classic "shoutin'" music; she said she felt the Lord told her to change direction and she did- and ran smack into me! We went flying to the floor, laughing hysterically: we always did have a spiritual connection (ha!). Once we decided to fast TV together for a month; since then, we have tried to push each other and encourage each other in the things of God.

Then there was our mission trip to Jamaica- we sat in our hotel room during a hurricane and wrote about the kind of spouses we want. And so many other memories- talking every day the summer she went to Alabama and I had just lost my fiance; me forcing her to ride the Maverick at Cedar Point (even though she cried); throwing all those great parties for each other and our friends; her gently and persistently telling me that a certain guy was wrong for me even though I didn't want to hear it...

I needed her, and I still do. And not just for the food and the fun and the talking, but because she tells me truth. Because she pushes me to be a better person.

Have you noticed that there are not a lot of people out there who know how to be a good friend? Have you noticed that most people tend to take and not give. They talk mostly about themselves, and they get uncomfortable and disappear when things get rough for you. But my BFF- she listens. She gives. She cares. She's there. As Barbra sang so beautifully, we all need people- people like my friend.

If you have a person like this in your life- celebrate them, take care of that relationship, and thank God always for His gift. If you don't, pray and believe that the Lord will grant your wish, though it may take some time.

Why this blog now? My best friend's birthday was Wednesday, and I forgot. This is my way of celebrating her- and apologizing for my EPIC FAILURE!

Happy birthday, BFF! Luv ya!

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