a sheltering tree

Had the chance to see one of my oldest, best friends today.

There is not much else quite like being with someone who has known you since you were 12. Girls camp, church dances, sleepovers, concerts, youth conferences, letters, all the way up through college roommates. Then continued friendship through mission, marriage, having kids, living closer in the same state, and living across the country. There are things we can talk about that almost no one else can understand. I think we have a level of trust and safety with each other that just takes a lot of years to develop, even through some of the times that we aren't in touch as much as others.

Anyway, I appreciate having a friend like her. And it was a lot of fun to get together again for the first time in a few years.

Thanks to the random person I snagged in the parking lot to take our picture.:)

And thanks again to Alyssa for this thoughtful little souvenir, too.:) It sums up everything about our short visit just perfectly.