Old Friends are the Best Friends
Do you have that one friend (or a few) whom you have been friends with forever? That friend whom you may not see or talk to for years and pick right up where you left off as if it had been only a few days? That friend whom you know you can always call in a crisis, but never really need to? That friend whom has seen you at your best and your worst but really only sees just you? That friend whom genuinely and sincerely only wishes the best for you without hidden resentment or jealously? That friend whom has always been your friend and always will? Yeah, that friend.
I am blessed to say that I have a few friends like that. Very blessed. While this post is about all of those friends, it is really about just one. That one in the picture above (she’s on the left, I’m on the right). (By the way, she will probably kill me for sharing that picture, but it is one of my favorites of us! Although she is covered in chicken pox, she is still so darned adorable! Sorry, B.) This picture is of us in 7th grade when we were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (yes, nerds, but nerdy is cool these days, so whatever.)
So that’s my friend, B. We met when we were 8 years old and she moved across the street from me when her parents divorced. I was very bashful as was she and yet we made our shy introductions and became fast friends. That was 33 years ago! I don’t know when we got so old to be able to say that we have been friends for 33 years, but it happened. And here we are at mid-life, still really close friends. I don’t think either of us is very bashful anymore having grown gracefully and confidently into adulthood. But we each went through many emotional and traumatic experiences in our own lives and we both survived. Abusive relationships, divorce, the loss of her mother and both of my parents to cancer. And although years, miles, boyfriends and spouses, and mental illness sometimes came between us, whenever we get together, it is like we are still the innocent playful girls of our youth and we can’t talk fast enough to cover all the topics we need and want to discuss. And when we are talking, there is a lot of laughter. Like A LOT! But those stories are ours. And probably no one else would really see the humor in them anyway!
Well, about a week and half ago, I posted an outfit of the day photo on Pinterest and Instagram. This photo actually:
A few minutes later, I received a text from B. “You are just way too freaking cute in all of your pics you are posting!!” For some reason, this compliment meant more coming from her than it would coming from a stranger. Probably because I respect her and her opinion matters to me more than the opinions of strangers. But also, it meant more because I could respond like this, “Ah-hahaha! Thanks! I feel so vain and narcissistic! But I really am having fun doing this blog thing!” You may be wondering why I feel this is important enough for a blog post…
It is important because I was able to receive the compliment and respond with my insecurities being as transparent as they could be! Because honesty is one of the most important things in the world to me. Because letting your guard down and revealing your insecurities to a friend, a spouse, a stranger, to the world, is really scary! But revealing your insecurities is also important in order to find the support you need. Wearing your invincibility cape all the time can be downright exhausting. Sometimes superheroes need a rest, too!
And B. replied with this, “You are perfect for it.” WOW! Talk about validation. Validation that I desperately needed. Someone important to me letting me know that what I am doing isn’t just shallow and silly. I don’t think she realized at the time the power in those 5 words. Perhaps, she will read this post and know how very important those words were to me. Validation when I needed it most. Thank you so much, B., from the bottom of my heart.
I replied with, “You know I have been searching for 40 years to find what I am perfect for! Maybe I have finally found it. Thanks for the encouragement! I guess we will all battle our insecurities to the end of time!”
So I guess the message I am trying to send is that we all have insecurities. We all need to accept that fact about one another and be gentle and kind. But we all also need to face our insecurities. It is really the only way to get past them…by not letting them get in your way. And we all need encouragement and validation sometimes. While it is amazing when we receive that validation without asking for it, oftentimes we may need to ask for it. And that’s okay, too. And if you have friends like I have, they will be more than happy to oblige! If you don’t have friends like that, maybe it’s time to find new friends.
I just wanted to share this little story with you all and let B. know I am so fortunate for friends like her and I thank God every day for the wonderful people in my life. Life is hard, but great friends can make the journey a little easier.
Ahh…but I posted an outfit picture! So here are the clothes that prompted my unsolicited, but much appreciated validation!
Vertical striped sleeveless button down tunic in burgundy and white: Old Navy (Only available in XXL Tall).
Tan denim leggings by Mossimo: Target (No longer available, but Old Navy’s Long Pixie Pants in Tan are similar in fit and color.)
Navy blue layering tank top: Target (Merona Favorite Tank)
Navy and tan wedge sandals: Lucky Brand (I purchased mine on clearance for $20 at the Fort Drum Exchange, but you must be military to shop at the PX. I also got them in coral and tan for $7!!! Lucky Brand has similar ones available on sale here and here.)
Bib necklace in amber: Very old. There is an adorable option at Charming Charlie here. A very inexpensive amber necklace is available on ebay here. And a higher end option in amber and quartz is available at Saks Fifth Avenue here.
I really liked the combination of burgundy, navy, tan, and amber as Fall is finally here! What are some of your favorite color combinations? Do you combine more than 2 or3 colors in one outfit?
Also, please tell me…do you have amazing and supportive friends? Share your story in the comments if you’d like! Until next time…
I’m keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linked to:
– See more at: http://www.notdressedaslamb.com/#sthash.17jgynrw.dpuf
Also linked to: Visible Mondays Link Up with Not Dead Yet Style, Turning Heads Tuesday Fashion Link Up with Elegantly Dressed & Stylish, Let It Shine with Molly & Carly at Still Being Molly, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday at Sydney Fashion Hunter, A Labour of Life, Happiness at Midlife, Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop at Katherine’s Corner, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style
15 Comments
Jaymie Ashcraft
Cute tunic!!! It’s nice to stay such great friends for so many years. 🙂
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
Fridays Fashions link up
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jaymie! I really have been blessed with great friends!
Jill
What a great story! I have a good friend that I’ve known for over 30 years and we always pick up where we left off too! I love your tunic and leggings! Such a cute fall look! Thanks for linking up with Thursday Fashion Files!
Jill
Doused In Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jill! After so many years of friendship, I guess you just know each so well it doesn’t matter how much time passes between meetings.
HG Nomdeplume
I think it’s wonderful you have stayed friends for so long, and I think this is a great thing for you, maybe you could teach me how to be better at fashion on a budget.
_heather
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Absolutely! Let’s go shopping!
Jess
Nice tunic, I had a friend growing up for many years , and we still keep in touch. Really means alot.
thanks for joining in today
Thank you for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! And thank you for hosting the link up!
Rachel
You are most definitely too stinkin cute. B was right. I love good honest to God friendships as I have two special friends like that and can’t wait to meet them one on one or together for girls dates. Relish in these frienships and fun times. Thanks for linking up to “Bloggers Who Have Inspired me” hope you can join in again on Tuesday.
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Rachel, thanks so much! I apologize for the delay in posting your comment. It somehow got lost in my spam filter and I just now figured out that there was a separate mailbox with spam that needs cleaning out! Ha! I will get this blogging stuff at some point!
Rachel
I hate when comments go to spam, but I am glad you figured it out. Hope you can join the link up again tomorrow.
Rachel xo
Happiness at Mid Life
What a sweet story – true friends are the best! Loving your stripe tunic too!
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you Thursday.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Alice! And thanks for hosting the link up!
Rachel
someday you should post a picture of some of the wackadoo outfits we wore in high school, when grunge was just about to hust wiiiiiiide open and we were on the cutting edge.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
We were so cutting edge, weren’t we, Rach?! Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I didn’t take too many pictures back then before cell phones and social media! All I have left of my crazy outfits are memories!