On Friendship...

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I've had the great privilege lately of having some wonderful friendships continue to build. This is fairly new to me; at least, it's been a while. I've noticed that, for me anyway, the more I search for answers in my spiritual life, the more I find answers in other areas of life as well. Lately, this means my friendships, and how to build them up and create strong, lasting ones.

This weekend was the 5 year anniversary of a dear friend's death. It's amazing how many lives she touched and continues to touch, even in her absence. I told a new friend of mine that I would need to keep busy on Friday night to keep my mind off of it, and she happily obliged. She and her boyfriend came over to play games with Patrick and I, and to be honest, I haven't had such a good time in a LONG time. We, as couples, seem to fit well together, and it's nice that my being friends with her comes with a friend for Patrick as well :). This friend and I are both fairly skeptical towards new people- females, especially, yet to me it seemed almost immediately when we met that there would be something strong there. I already feel this connection to her, this pull to be there for her no matter what. So I'm trying. I'm listening, and I'm learning from her. It's a good feeling.

Another friend of mine is pregnant with a precious little boy. She and her husband have a little girl already, yet when they were expecting her, they were young- teenagers- and felt they didn't get to truly enjoy and celebrate the pregnancy. So yesterday, I co-hosted a baby shower for her with the intent of letting her celebrate this one to her heart's desire. We had games and presents, lots of yummy food, and lots of her friends came over. She couldn't stop smiling- I wonder if her cheeks hurt. I have only truly spoken with her minimally about how she felt about it all, but it seems my mission was accomplished- she felt a celebration in her heart. It feels wonderful knowing that I've done this for such a dear friend, such a wonderful, vibrant woman, and I can't wait to do many more things for her.

These friendships are teaching me more about life and what it means to find connections. They show that it really IS better to have 2 minds, for I know that when I am down, as I was Friday, there will always be someone to lift me up. I know that when I work together with these women, we each will reap great rewards, and I know that seeing a smile on their faces and hearing it in their voices will always mean more to me than almost anything else.