August 1st, 1990– just 7 days short of exactly 6 months after I entered the world, my best friend was born. It wasn’t until ten years later that we actually became friends in Mrs. Amber’s 5th grade class. We always joke that we were destined to be friends, soul mates if you will. And as cheesy at that sounds, there are some people in your life that you meet and you just know that it’s what God had meant for you. That’s me and my best friend, Erin.
So, as we existed separately for ten years, one day our paths crossed and something special happened. As well as two little ten year olds could do, we talked about life. We talked about church. We talked about our families. We talked about our faith and beliefs. And all those years ago, we decided we would be friends forever. I know what you’re thinking. And truth be told, it doesn’t normally work out that way. But friends, it must’ve been part of our plans because here we are today and we rarely ever go a day without talking. That’s right. Those cheesy Pinterest quotes you sometimes stop to read if they look pretty enough, those can be about your girlfriends too. So, how did we do it? How did we stay friends for 18 years?!
Well sure, sometimes we fought. (In Grease the Musical we did our senior year and a couple times in real life. lol) And can I just say that this punch right here was the most realistic fight scene in the history of all high school musicals? Bar none. That’s right, Sandy Dumbrowski throws a mean right hook. Just ask Patty Simcox..
… but we always had a way of cheering each other back up! (We cheered together from 8th grade through Senior Year!)
We attended lots of concerts (Rascal Flatts, of course)! The last one we went to was our FIFTEENTH. We’ve loved them since 8th grade. The glow up is reallll.
We never stopped adventuring. Before we were old enough to do so, our parents would take us places or we’d stay at Big Bear with Erin’s family. Once we could drive, even if it was just for a day, we’d set out on a day trip to somewhere new. The best thing ever is having a friend who is a wanderer too! We both are laid back about traveling (the one thing in my life I might be laid back about at times) and like to just see where we end up– like that time we spent five days in New England without one hotel reservation– best trip of our lives! And you better believe when I had hunted down the perfect dog (Charlie girl, of course), Erin was right there by my side, ready to go on the drive to find her with me. We called back home once I’d made the deposit at least.. lol. Clearly, even when we were younger we staged improv photo shoots. No surprise there, I’m sure. hahaha
And finally, we didn’t give up. When we graduated high school, and most friends were saying goodbye for the last time, we were planning our first get-togethers. Erin went to cosmetology school and I went to college and she would come stay in my dorm room for weekends at a time. We made it work because we didn’t want to give up the amazing friendship we’d made! All of this. This is us. And this is why our friendship is so strong today.
Happy 28th birthday, Erin!! Thanks for being my best friend in 5th grade and my best friend now. Can’t wait for our next adventure next week! Love doing life with you!
xo,
Ash
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