Old Friends

I once heard a saying about old friends. I am only paraphrasing, but it was something like, "The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young." As I near my 30th birthday (which will come later this year), I can really appreciate that sentiment.

Melissa is one of my oldest friends, and I miss her so much. We grew up right down the street from one another and went to school together from 3rd grade through high school graduation. She has been traveling abroad and working for various relief organizations since college graduation. We kept in touch all through our college years (Melissa at UT and me just down the road at Southwestern). It's truly a lifelong friendship. I'm amazed that no matter how much time passes, Melissa and I can get together and pick up right where we left off...and she always has some wild stories to tell!

She was in town briefly last month getting hitched, and I was able to meet her new husband and catch up with her for a bit. Unfortunately we had a short visit, because she and her husband were headed to Paris the next morning for their honeymoon and to visit her husband's family in France. After about a month there, they will head to their next assignment. Her husband is assigned somewhere in Africa or the Middle East (I can't remember) with the Red Cross, and Melissa will try to find a job there as well. She's just an amazing woman, and I am proud to call her my friend.

As much as I'd love for her to live in the states again, I don't see it happening! So, we will settle for maintaining our friendship across the miles and enjoying our occasional visits.

I may see her again in December. She and her husband are contemplating a wedding reception in Honduras, and Jamie and I are planning to make the trip if they put it all together. It could be a really fun little getaway!