3/16 POD #17 > True friendship shows up

We met in 2006.

We both were starting a new part of our lives, in a new place, lots of unknowns, a lot weighing on our shoulders.

We wanted to change the world!!!!

Just kidding, we wanted to become Physical Therapists - so, wait, YEAH, we wanted to change the world!!

Neither of us had experienced education quite like this before. This was a doctorate program with high stakes to not only be successful but to survive!

We leaned on and into each other. 

We did just about everything together from studying, to working out, meals, etc. 

Beavies as I lovingly called her, endured studying in small spaces with me. Small spaces being a private room in the library that we claimed early AF as we would be living in that room ALL day to study. Small spaces that I often and regularly filled with warm, toxic, air 💨 🤢 

And yet, she still loved me. 

We laughed ALOT.

We cried too.

But our bond grew stronger as the years went on during this program. 

We graduated, became Doctors of Physical Therapy, and easily maintained our friendship. 

I was honored to be a bridesmaid for this gorgeous bride and her hubby Michael and she reciprocated as a bridesmaid for me. 

We had babies.

Beavies got pregnant with a boy, then I did! A bit later she got pregnant with another boy and less than a year later I did too! Now she went on to have a third...but I was done following in her footsteps at that point 😂

Fast forward, they moved. Then moved again. Then again. Each time further away. 

Distance crept in physically but also seemingly in our relationship as our visits and calls stretched out further and further. 

It wasn't for lack of care or concern or love. Just life man. 

But that is no excuse and we both realized that. 

Beavies has called me multiple times since my diagnosis and FINALLY today, I was free to chat!

Guess what? It was perfectly normal. Like we never lost time.

Why?
True friendship endures times and distance.

True friendship shows up. 

True friendship means you can pick up the phone and call someone over and over until they answer and you can hear their voice and BOTH apologize for lost time. 

True friendship is acknowledging this person was a huge part of your life and still can be.

True friendship is VOWING to make plans to get together yearly. There are 365 days in a year. It is making the time for that which is important to you.

She is important to me. 

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11 y/o has been hard at times.

I still see my little boy in there but the teenager is trying to push through. 

BACK OFF I say! Let me have more time with my sweet boy. 

Logan is typically quieter however, if you've ever driven him somewhere he will usually chat your ear off as he enjoys his one on one time. But overall he tends to keep his thoughts in more than Gavin my little firecracker does.

Logan looks like me but = Steve.

Gavin looks like Steve but = Me. 

Logan does love to run errands with me - likely because I am a sucker and will always buy him shoes or socks or something because my mom used to do the same for me. I always treasure our shopping trips. 

He also still enjoys just spending time with me. In recent days that has been going on walks after school together. 

"Mom, wait, I'm coming!"

    Be still my heart...my little boy is still in there.