Thankful Experiences

Tonight, some of my sweet friends, the Lipscombs, came over to exchange Christmas presents as we always do. For me, tonight made my heart extra happy. Over the past couple of years, my friend and I have been through stuff that we never would have expected to have to go through, but I am so blessed to be able to say, that through everything that happened, our friendship never faltered. You know a friendship has its foundation on Christ when you can go through highs and lows with them, and boy, has this relationship been like a roller coaster.

 So, why did tonight make this little heart of mine happy? 

Because I got to see my best friend look truly happy.

I have known this girl and her little sister (that is my brother's age) practically since birth, so I know when she is hiding feelings from me, and tonight, after a long time, I felt that they were actually happy and that everything was finally okay again. And its not just because it was Christmas, but I feel like everything is "normal", as normal as things are ever going to get. Now the background story to why things have been troublesome, is a long one that I cannot share, but just know that it was something that affected their family, and so many loved ones around them. It was something that my heart is still somewhat broken about, but after seeing them tonight, I feel like those wounds are a little bit more healed. 

I feel truly blessed to have had the experiences that I have had with my sweet best friend, and while writing this post, so many sweet memories are flooding back into my mind. So many that it is almost overwhelming. Some good, and some not so good, but looking back, I can clearly see God's hand leading me, and my friend through the past few years. Now, the friendship that I have with her, is like a sister-we can go weeks without texting or talking, but then we can just see each other or text each other and its like we just catch up from when we last talked! Our conversations range from family stuff, to of course- boy talk (which we have a lot), and it is just like a sister relationship in the way that we would never "judge" one another on a mistake, and when one of us is going through a tough thing (with a guy or what not) the other is right there to just listen and talk it out! 

Looking back on our elementary and middle school days, I look at my friend and I and I see how much of an influence God has had in our lives as individuals and as sisters. I see how much we have grown to have our own personalities, and I feel so blessed to be apart of her life. My sweet friend is as stubborn and tough as a rock sometimes, but I am so thankful that we have talked about things that are sensitive to both of our hearts. I can honestly say, that without this friendship, I would not be who I am today, and I would not trade anything in the world for our memories together and our friendship.

"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There's a time for silence; a time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny; and a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over."