Across The Pond Is A Long Way, My Friend

We have all types of friends: work friends, childhood friends, high school friends, college friends, spouse's friends, 'friends of' friends, other school mom friends, and the list goes on.

But there is usually only one friend that has grown up with you; one that has been there when your heart was broken, went through all of your 'firsts' with, one with whom you've fought with and couldn't wait to make up with, who has seen the best and the worst of you, has always supported you, has laughed and cried with you and has never, ever judged you. Nightclubs, concerts, vacations, parties, hangovers, boyfriends, endless nights of studying, college exams - she was there through it all, either dragged along or was a willing partner in crime. We've laughed 'til we cried and we've cried 'til we laughed.

The irony of my situation with this friend, who has been all of this for me, is that we take all the more pleasure in seeing each other when we have the opportunity because, you see, this friend of mine lives in the U.K. I thought I'd never make it through when she announced almost 10 years ago that she will be moving to England after her wedding. But somehow, I managed :)

Aside from our weekly emails throughout the years, I've only gotten to physically see her a handful of times. And today, was one of those rare times.

As easily as we fell into a gripping bear hug that lasted several minutes and resulted in unexpected emotional tears from both of us, that's how easily we fell into our routine. We picked up like we just saw each other yesterday - laughing and talking at the speed of light, bubbling over with topics, questions, life musings and observations, barely able to catch our breath. And lots of hugs and kisses. We had no mind for our husbands and daughters (we each have two girls who hit it off swimmingly, as the Brits say!) who were present; we were immersed in each other's world. Every now and then, the English accent she's picked up managed to give way to the Greek/Chicago accent, lingo and humor that we shared and bonded over back in the day.

The hours flew by like minutes and before I knew it, I was hugging her goodbye again, not believing that this meeting was like a blip on life's radar.

But we were already making plans for our next visit and even suggested something special for our milestone birthday in a few years.

In the meantime, I am starting to make my plans to visit London next year.

I LOVE YOU, SUE!!! xoxoxoxoxo

-Cathy