As I closed the door to my room, I popped the Like a Virgin cassette into my well-loved boom box, covered in stickers. The opening notes of “Dress You Up” blasted through the speakers, and my best friend Mia and I danced until our legs felt like jelly. With pink ballet tights tied around our chests and stuffed with socks, we adorned ourselves with necklaces and charm bracelets, taking turns wearing the single Madonna glove we cherished. We were in the zone: dancing, singing, and simply being ourselves.
Mia and I met in third grade, and it was an instant connection. We exchanged notes and shared knowing eye rolls during class, walking the recess yard lost in our own little universe. Our weekends were filled with sleepovers, where we became part of each other’s families, confiding in one another about our dreams, fears, secrets, and both our victories and setbacks.
When I got my period at the age of 10, Mia was the only person besides my parents who knew. She would stand guard by the school bathroom trash can while I discreetly disposed of my maxi pads. We were there for every tiny detail of each other’s crushes. Once, we both liked the same boy. Mia kissed him, and I sulked for half a day, but the jealousy faded quickly, especially since they stopped talking the next day.
In sixth grade, we experienced our first concert together—Madonna’s iconic Blond Ambition Tour. Despite our terrible seats and the exhaustion that set in, we danced with the same uninhibited joy we had in her bedroom years before. It felt like a rite of passage, perfectly fitting that we shared it together.
When I moved from California to New York the summer before seventh grade, the sadness was overwhelming. Mia sent me letters from summer camp, her tears smudging the ink. We tried to stay in touch, but middle school and high school swept us into their chaotic whirlwinds of boyfriends, breakups, and college life.
Mia eventually went to college in New York, and we lived in the same city for a few years. Yet, it was never quite the same as our childhood days; we were older, with different commitments. Still, we managed to keep up with each other’s lives, celebrating milestones and supporting each other through ups and downs.
Recently, after several years apart, we reunited when I traveled back to California with my husband and two sons. Mia picked me up from my dad’s house, and as soon as I closed the car door, we erupted into giggles. I had a reprieve from family responsibilities, and she had left her sons at home. Instantly, we were back to our old selves, retreating from the world together.
As we walked to the coffee shop, she asked about my visit with my dad. I typically hold back with friends, but with Mia, I could share everything. She was there for all the significant moments in my life—my parents’ divorce, the custody battles, and all the heartaches and joys in between. Within minutes, tears and words flowed freely.
We held hands, transitioning from deep conversations about family and life to laughing at a ridiculously priced pair of boots in a store window. Our conversations dove right into the core of our feelings, sharing our greatest aspirations and fears. I noticed her familiar blue eyes filling with tears as we took turns crying, sipping our coffee, and continuing to share.
Eventually, it was time to return to our families, and saying goodbye was hard. We promised to stay in closer touch and to see each other sooner rather than later, though we knew how challenging that would be given our busy lives filled with children, work, and other commitments.
Your first best friend is truly a friend for life. No matter how much time passes, when we reconnect, it always feels as if no time has passed at all. For anyone navigating the complexities of life, including the journey of parenthood, there are valuable resources available, such as March of Dimes. If you’re considering options like home insemination, check out home insemination kits and fertility supplements.
In summary, the bond of friendship is timeless and resilient, reminding us of the importance of connection in our lives.
Keyphrase: Unbreakable bond of friendship
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