R, A, and Oreo's

Would you believe that until about 2 years ago, I had never had a double stuffed Oreo? Shocking!

I had seen them of course, but because I wasn’t a big fan of regular Oreo’s, I never bought them or even tasted one. Why didn’t anyone tell me that they are a thousand times better than regular Oreo’s? Where were my friends to guide me on the right path?

Well, that is just Oreo’s, my friends do help me to keep my priorities strait. I am very lucky when it comes to friends. I don’t have many, but I have quality friends. They are the ones who aren’t afraid to tell you to stop being a jerk (well, maybe a little afraid!), the kind of friends to whom time and distance don’t matter. My two dearest friends, R and A, are amazing women.

A, I met in middle school; she is kindest person I know. She would object to me saying that, because that is what kind people always do. She is genuine. The past 5 years have seen A in some pretty unhappy places, and more recently in some bright and wonderful places. I feel honored that she wanted my company on her journey. We did a lot of crying, laughing, and cussing together. (Really! She did cuss once…it was amazing!) We also had the gift of being pregnant at the same time, our due dates were only a week apart. Our sons were born 3 weeks apart, though. A’s a week early and mine 2 weeks late (I was so jealous!)

R, I met in high school, she is brave and independent. She is without a doubt one of the best moms I’ve ever met, and not just because she is expecting #4, but because she fights for what is best for her children and the children she teaches. You see, she is a middle school teacher… I remember middle school, she has to be brave. I love that she calls to tell me funny stories that happen at school or funny things that happen at her house. R and I got married the same year, one week apart. D and I had originally planned on the 7th, but there was no way I would miss R’s wedding so we moved ours to the 14th. This has had a very unexpected but appreciated benefit….I always get a week reminder of our anniversary (yes…sometimes I forget). R probably doesn’t remember this, but once during high school we hit a rough patch in our friendship, over a boy of course. She wrote me a note on a napkin and gave it to me after a theater production…basically telling me how important I was to her. I still have that note.

I’ve not lived in the same state as these two friends for almost 6 years now. I’ve missed seeing them pregnant with their other children. Despite all that I’ve missed, I feel a close to them as I ever. Thank you, R and A …and whether you like it or not…you are stuck with me. But come on….you could have told me about the Oreo’s!