30 Year Friendships…..

Last weekend I went to a bridal shower in Chicago - my nephew is getting married later this month. It was such fun!

This party was at a cute little restaurant in a neighborhood west of down town Chicago - about 20 guests (including the bride-to-be and some of her attendants of course). The conversation and laughter flowed, the food was delicious and the bride received some very nice gifts. Her warm and enthusiastic response to each gift made the whole afternoon even more fun.

The shower was hosted by two of my sister's very best friends. At the end one of her friends, Bridget, gave a lovely toast. She thanked us all for coming, toasted the bride and then turned to my sister. I don't recall her exact words….but she was toasting Susan for 30 years of friendship. Their 30 year history of shared experiences, fun, support during difficult times and all the good times they'd spent together.

The toast brought tears to my eyes - but for a rather selfish reason. As I listened I felt "bad" realizing that I would never have this kind of experience and I "envied" my sister. We've moved so many times, always making good friends wherever we lived, but then leaving them behind and starting all over. The few friends who've known me for 30 years now live very far away. We talk on the phone sometimes, email and Facebook but very rarely get to see each other in person.

I have connections from New Hampshire to North Carolina, Florida to Alaska, Delaware to Wisconsin. And I value and love my friends - but I sure wish I could see them more often. I sure wish they lived close by. I sure wish my "Bridgets" were in the neighborhood.