Rekindled
The other night, I went to dinner with an old friend. Not like my old friends whom I spent the weekend with in Madison. Not even like my old friends who stood up for me in our wedding. No, this friend falls into a special category.
This is the kind of friend I haven’t seen in years, even though we now live mere blocks apart. This is the kind of friend who fizzled out of my life for really no good reason (or none that I can remember now). This is the kind of friend that, despite the distance, I continued to think so very fondly of over the years. This is the kind of friend whom, when she suddenly reappeared, brought a huge smile to my face and a sense of warmth around me.
Earlier this week, we finally got together again. While we indulged in extra fresh sushi and splashes of Prosecco (nectar of the Italian gods), we caught up on our relationships, jobs, travels, health and life. I was reminded how beautiful this friend is. She has stunningly smooth, pink skin and is one of the few women I know who can rock out a pixie haircut.
But, it’s her internal beauty that stood out. At one point, she was describing the reason why she left her old interior design job is because she wasn’t able to combine bright colors and textures; she was being denied her artistic voice. Just talking to her for a few hours … it was like I saw those colors and textures come to life through her voice.
It was during this dinner I was so thankful for the kind of friend she is. The kind of friend who, after years apart, can come back into my life and pick up where we left off. No questioning the whys of yesterday. No uncomfortable silences today. Just a genuine warmth that reminds me why I am so fond of her place in my life.
March 11th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I love those kind of friends – with some when I go see them I feel like I have nothing to say, but with others everything falls right back into place and it’s like we’ve never been apart :)
March 11th, 2010 at 8:35 am
I have a few friends like that. It is a special thing.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I love friendships like that. I am so glad that the two of you were able to reconnect. Having those friends that can just pick up without any questions is so important. This week the former BFF and I have been been exchanging facebook messages. We miss each other and hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll be meeting for dinner.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I’m glad it was such a wonderful reconnection for you. Especially with the fresh sushi and juice (?) – sounds heavenly :)
March 11th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Reconnecting with old friends can go one of two ways—you sit there and remember WHY you lost connection, or you sit there and marvel at how you could EVER lose connection with such an incredible person.
Obviously, I much prefer the latter situations. :)
March 11th, 2010 at 9:38 am
those are some of the best friendships. I have a few of these as well and they make me oh so happy. Glad you had some quality girl time and a rekindled friendship.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Beyond the obvious great reasons to have a friend come back into your life, I love that you enjoyed her words so much. As I spend many a hour obsessing over words these days, I love the idea of someone weaving a tale with colors and textures. And I would have tried to steal some of them!
March 11th, 2010 at 10:35 am
my highschool friends seem just like this: we’ll go months or years without talking, but getting together it’s always as if no time has passed at all.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:29 am
I have a friend like that. But, sometimes, it is sooo much work to see her (she is one of those people who refuses to move things around in her own schedule) I just don’t know if it’s worth it.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:30 am
This gives me hope about my friend who has fizzled out of my life. Her choice but still sucks. You give me hope!
March 11th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Those are great friends to have. :-)
I’m one of the other women you know can rock a pixie cut, right? Ahem. Hee hee. JK.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I love when people are sources of grace in our lives. I am certain she feels the same way about you.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:54 am
sounds like a lovely get together! i love reconnecting with old friends and feeling that ease and comfort.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:57 am
I think those friendships are so special. I love coming away feeling inspired and as if no time has passed. I think those are some of the sweetest moments. Glad you found that this week.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I love friends who wrap you up in their awesomeness, no matter how much time or distance has passed. One of my dearest friends is someone I met when I lived in England. I see her every 4 or 5 years or so yet there is no awkwardness at all; we jump right back into it like we just saw each the day before.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
This is so sweet! What a touching tribute to a lovely friend.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I sort of have a friend like that too. I’ve known her since sixth grade, but the friendship mostly continues on only my efforts unfortunately. I still really value her as a friend and have a lot in common with her, but she’s terrible about returning a phone call or an email and it’s only getting worse. And it’s not like she has kids or a crazy job or anything. She just doesn’t make the effort. BUT…whenever we do talk or see one another (she now lives on the East Coast), it’s like no time has passed. I wish I could have more in between though!
By the way, I love your description of your friend….”it was like I saw those colors and textures come to life through her voice.” What a beautiful thing to say.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
I recently got back in touch with a friend I’ve known since I was a kid. It was funny because it was like no time had even gone by. Still had the same sense of humor and we talked for hours.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
I love friendships like that. They are rare, but wonderful. Some of my college friendships are like that. Mostly because we have moved away and just don’t do a good job of keeping up via phone or email. But when we see each other once a year, it’s like no time has passed.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
That sounds like an amazing friend, friendship and time together. And the perfect menu to go with it!
March 12th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Sounds like a lovely time. Friendships that just pick back up are the best. I have a couple like that and it is just amazing how they ebb and flow. :)
March 15th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Love that. Facebook has helped me find some people like this again and it’s so nice to be able to catch up with them.
March 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Those kind of friends are more important to our lives than we think (or tend to forget sometimes).