Laurie

Laurie and I first met in junior high (21 years ago).  She and I were immediately inseparable.  Eventually she had a baby and got married and we all know the mess that my life became and we grew apart.  Within a few years however, we were back together and as good of friends as ever.  Then, I got married and she had another baby and again, we grew apart.  Two years ago, we reconnected on Facebook and I came to understand what a "true friend" truly is. I also found that while time may have passed us by, our friendship was as strong as it was 20 years ago.

We both had our own paths to travel in life, each with our own detours.  Yet, we both managed to find ourselves back at the same spot in life.  We have the same challenges, the same understanding of each other, and the same unconditional love for one another.  We both have had to fight our ways back from some very deep valleys but some how we both understand our own journeys.  Today, we both have the same priorities: our kids, our husband's, our family and our religion.

Today, we met for lunch, something we do every 2-4 weeks and she gave me the best news.  She is finally going to go through the temple and while we cried together, she looks over and says, "I feel as though I should wait for you".  She has NO IDEA what that meant to me.  While, I would love to join her, it's her time, not mine.  Her going is such a triumph for both of us.  I have hope.  She and I have the same situation with our husband's not being members.  Her husband (after 18 yrs together) has finally given her the okay.  I have hope.  I watch her amazing children, and I have hope. 

I love her so much, and I thank God he gave me such a wonderful friend.  I am so grateful to have someone who understands the real me, the one who has gone to hell and back and has the scars left to show for it.  I look forward to another 20 years of friendship with her and can't wait to see what the future will bring her.