A Tiny Tale of Two Friends

On By Alexis RoseIn Blog

Grace and I have been friends for 41 years. We were roommates for four years, we got married around the same time, our children are fairly close in age, and we have always lived within ten minutes of each other. Although we look nothing alike, when we go out people often ask if we are sisters.

Our story began as two crazy party-all-the-time teenage roommates having adventure, after adventure, which means we have a vault of secrets that we keep safe for each other. A vault with a combination so locked down that it could never be cracked.

Then we settled down. Both of us married, had careers, children, houses, developed interests apart from each other, and navigated the nuances of life. We even collaborated on a beautiful inspirational book. I wrote poetry set to Grace’s watercolor paintings that we printed and sold locally.

As life would have it, both our daughters (who are also good friends) have gotten married within months of each other. Grace helped me pick out my mother-of-the-bride dress, and in turn, I helped Grace find the perfect dress. When we were younger, we never sat around and mused that one day we would be buying dresses for our children’s wedding together. But here we are, 41 years into our friendship and this is where we’re at in our cycle of life.

When we celebrated my daughter’s wedding in April, Grace was there with her whole family.  I was grateful, it was fabulous. I was busy talking to all the other guests but held tight to Grace’s hand whenever I saw her. Yesterday, we celebrated her beautiful daughter’s wedding. Watching my daughter walk in her wedding, and having my whole family with me, I was able to relax and enjoy this wonderful rite-of-passage our friendship was experiencing.

Ours is one of those friendships that have weathered many storms. Not the storms of strife and arguments, but the storms of life. We have been there for each other through great joy and deep sorrow. This past year, we have experienced both. But the joy of watching our daughters find their respective soulmates and marry in ceremony’s that befitted their personalities put a lot of things into perfect perspective.

As Grace and I, alone on the dance floor danced to Beat-It last night at the reception, instead of two middle-aged women, we were  18 years old again, standing in our apartment dancing with candlesticks as microphones using the windows facing the woods as our audience, knowing exactly how each other was going to move and twirl.

When we are old and live next door to each other in the assisted living home, or a tiny house community, blasting Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and all the other bands of our youth, I’ll still look at her, and with a wink and a smile say, “A good friend will bail you out of jail, A best friend will be sitting next to you saying…damn that was fun.” 

image source: google

37 thoughts on “A Tiny Tale of Two Friends”

  2. This is a beautiful reminder to stay in touch with your close friends no matter how far away they live. This was a joy to read. Thank you for sharing and thank you for liking my post.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Thank You for that compliment Linda. I take that to heart. I usually feel ageless (unless I work out to hard too). I very much look forward to the day when Im a Grandma. You even have a great grandson and you are So young for that!! So cool.
    Yes, you sound vibrant and young in your writing. I know that you have a husband who was a vet and by some of the things you write about, I figured we were around the same age. I just turned 59 in August. It sounds so old when I write it, because in my head and spirit Im ageless. When I see my friends they all still look like the teenagers we used to be. I hope that never changes. 😍

    Liked by 2 people

  16. In your writings, you come across as very youthful and vibrant, far younger than someone who has been best friends for 41 years, with a friend you met when you were both teenagers.

    I feel the same way. I don’t know if my writing conveys it, the way yours definitely does. But, although I turned 65 earlier this year, I still feel like I’m twenty-something. My grandchildren are in their twenties, my children are in their late thirties and to late forties, and I have a five year old great grandson. But I do not feel the least bit old… except when I have exercised a little too hard, and then I can’t get out of my chair!

    Liked by 2 people

  25. This is wonderful Alexis. You’re so blessed to have such a beautiful friendship that’s lasted all these years. Fills my heart with joy to listen to how you relate how important it is to you both,and how this love filters out to your family and friends. Anita😃

    Liked by 2 people

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