Wednesday 29 January 2014

Conversations over Coffee - My Best Friend

I've known her all my life - we  were at preschool together, then primary school. We went to different high schools and I was away for Uni, but then we were both in Sydney and working.

I moved over the bridge when I got married and she moved to the northern beaches. Finally, they moved to Brisbane.

All the while, still friends.

I am not good at keeping in touch. I don't ring people - I text occasionally and I rarely write or email. Facebook has helped a little, as you can joke around, and a brief sentence here and there will bring a smile of comfort and recognition.

When we meet up though, it is always easy. I went to Brisbane overnight last year, and she came to Sydney. There is catching up to do, but really it is just the usual shooting the sh*t as if I saw her daily. Nothing monumental, just gripes, jokes and random thoughts about nothing.

We went away together for a week the year before last, and it was very easy - well, easy for me, because I'm the difficult one. She is a relaxed traveller, and happy to go with the flow. She is also happy to do her own thing, and we are both okay with that. We did lots together, but if she wanted to go to the gym instead of lunch, she did. If I wanted to ditch the shopping and head to the pool, I could.

In fact, she is probably the most relaxed person I know. She also reads people with an amazing perception. One time, when we'd met up in Port Stephens and I was driving her back to the airport, we'd gotten lost and I thought she would miss her flight. I was running it all in my head and she suddenly said "Are you being quiet because you're stressing out?" and laughed. "It will be fine" she reassured me, and it was.

A long time friend is not always a best friend, but a friend who picks up where you left off, without judgement or difficulty, is one you treasure. A friend you can travel with is even more special than that. A friend who overlooks your many faults and still seems to have fun with you is gold. That's the kind of friend that makes you wish you were a better friend to them.

I guess that's the best kind of friend of all. One who makes you wish you were a better person. Not with demands or expectations, but by example. This post is dedicated to my best friend, who makes me want to try to be a better friend to her in return, and a better person in general.

Linking up with some Grace for FYBF. (The post was originally written for Always Josefa for Conversations over Coffee)

20 comments:

  1. You are very blessed to have a friend like that - I wish I had someone like that in my life.
    Have the best day !
    Me

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    1. I am indeed! I've just discovered my comments aren't appearing on a couple of people's posts. No idea why - not ignoring you, have been commenting...

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  2. Oh my gosh, I love this post. there are so many true words to learn from towards the end. I think we forget how lucky we are and how fulfilled we are because of friendships like this. I love how you use the word "easy" to describe so many things about such a special friendship - I guess that makes them special - them being easy. I hope your friend gets the chance to read this beautiful post you wrote about her. Thank you for linking up to #convocoffee Josefa xx

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  3. Oh so beautiful. I am terrible at staying in contact so I am in awe of friendships that last this long. What a wonderful blessing. Thank you so much for sharing

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  4. "...a friend who picks up where you left off, without judgement or difficulty, is one you treasure." I love this. I have a group of friends whom I met online when my oldest was a baby and 11 years on while we physically see each other infrequently, when we do it's like we've never been apart.

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  5. So much of this resonated with me,Lydia. Particularly how friendships evolve and change over the years and the different types of friendship you have. I love the types of friendships where you can pick up where you left off too :)

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  6. Wow so beautiful to have a friend like this and a connection that is never lost. I really believe it is the friendships that time can never break are the ones to hang onto. Gorgeous post a friend who knows you so well is a special one.

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  7. Lovely post - a friendship to be treasured xo

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  8. I have a handful of friends who I not see for months at a time but pick up where we left off when I do get to see them. Unfortunately I don't have any friends who I can travel with.

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  9. You just described the friendship I have with one of my best friends. Both of us hate making phone calls so we are happy to text each other. I love that, like your friendship we can just pick up as if we only saw each other yesterday, even if it has been 6 months since we last saw one another.

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  10. This just about describes a friendship I have too, Lydia. I love that you can go for ages without talking, and it's back into it as soon as you see each other. xx

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  11. I always think the best friends are the ones who you can catch up with after years and just pick up where you left off :) They're few but very special!

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  12. Lovely post! Makes me reevaluate my definition of "best friend". She sounds like a good match for you :) x

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  13. I'm hopeless at keeping in touch too, lucky for me my besties are the same and it doesn't matter because like you say when you do catch up its like yesterday, thats a true friendship to me and those of us that have them are blessed x

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  14. You are so lucky to have such a great friend, she sounds like an awesome person too. I often think I could be a better friend.

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  15. I am so blessed to have one of these, in fact since we were 12 we have been this close. But like you say, don't speak or see each other much, as she's in dif country now. She does make me want to be a better person! x

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  16. It sounds like you have an amazing bond with your friend. true friendship, lie the one you have with your friend, is such a blessing.

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  17. I love this post! I am a big believer that we need our friends! True friends are there through thick and thin! So nice to hear about your beautiful friendship!! xxx Lucy from Bake Play Smile

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