About my amazing friends
by Molly Young
Five minutes ago, I had an “aha” moment. A little idea, no, an enormous idea, I often take for granted. This notion didn’t arrive as a life-changing epiphany. Nor did I encounter a near-death experience. Five minutes ago, I simply realized something.
I have amazing friends.
Two amazing friends, to be precise. Don’t be mistaken: I regard many more wonderful and incredible people as friends. But these are my maids-of-honor, babies-play-together, scooter-racing-through-retirement-home friends.
That’s why this week’s column isn’t about me.
Five minutes ago, I realized Sarah Erickson and Kristen Seda deserve a little ink.
Plainly stated, Sarah and Kristen have always been there. Always. And they will always be there. Always.
It’s tough to genuinely recall a time I didn’t have their numbers on speed dial; a moment I couldn’t spill my guts; an instant without Kristen and Sarah.
Here’s the incredible thing, though. Those memories don’t exist.
Kristen appeared in my baby pictures. We dressed in our mothers’ frilly frocks for birthday parties. We created unrecognizable “crafts” to gift to others. We met Big Bird on the courthouse lawn.
Sarah arrived in my family album as a toddler. We attended day care together. We painted watercolor masterpieces. We briefly fought over a now-infamous tube of grape Chapstick.
No memories exist without Kristen and Sarah, because those moments simply did not occur.
As we grew older, life bet against us – Sarah transferred to a different high school.
Five minutes ago, as we danced around her dorm room during a study break, something struck me – we’re still here. The lyrics filled the late-night air, and I realized this is our song. The melody of us: the reason we were friends as nine-year-olds and the reason we will be friends as 99-year-olds.
“I’m only up when you’re not down. Don’t wanna fly if you’re still on the ground. It’s like no matter what I do. Well you drive me crazy half the time; the other half I’m only trying to let you know that what I feel is true. And I’m only me when I’m with you.”
