Mimi, My Friend

August 2005 was the beginning of my high school life. The following four years were going to be filled with challenges, struggles, regrets, laughs, memories and overall life lessons. There was no doubt that I would need someone to put up with me during that time. Someone that would be willing to remind me of how much God loves me, encourage me, and simply be there for me. But where or how was I going to find this person? Not only was I in a new school, but I was also in a new school district, the only other person I knew was my cousin & he thought he was too cool for me (he still loved me though). Well it turns out that all I had to do was go to English class to find her.

I don't remember exactly what were the first words exchanged, I just know that whether we knew it or not from that day on we were friends. Sometime in study hall,during a random conversation with a mutual friend we came up with nicknames inspired by cat names, her's was Mimi, our other friend was SnowBell (that didn't stick), and mine was Fufu. Well we shared our thoughts and feelings with one another. She was the spiritual guidance that I needed, even if I did ignore her advice sometimes. She would choose to see the best in me regardless. She is not the only close friend I have ever had, she is just a very special one. I am sure we distanced ourselves from one another from time to time, we were different and our hobbies were different. We were able to reconnect during our Junior year, her and another dear friend of mine even got me flipping through Teen Vogue magazines. It was a special year, our friendship strengthened, and continued.

Shortly after our high school graduation, she left with her family to Mexico. Now, I knew I would be going off to college and we weren't going to see each other as much to begin with. So, although it made me sad and it hurt, I figured I would miss her just like I would miss any other friend. The truth was, keeping our friendship connected was more difficult than with other friends. We couldn't call because of the "long distance" charges, and wi-fi was not always available for her, on top of that she was going to school/working, and so was I. Thankfully we had Facebook.

During the past 6 years or so, our lives have changed in many ways. There were new jobs, new career decisions, new relationships, and new heartbreaks...well at least for me, and the very rare visits. There were plenty of moments that for a reason or another we were not able to physically be there, but we always tried our very best to be available for each other.Honestly there were days, that I wanted her back in Houston, I wanted my friend close again. Yet, she shared all these wonderful and amazing events that were going on in her life, and well, I knew that it was the best for her.

Last time we saw each other July 2012

Thing is, that during that somewhere in these past six years, Mimi found her "one". I have never met her now Husband, but by what I have been able to see he cares for her, and loves her, as she loves him. They recently got married this past Saturday, and I am beyond happy for her, and for him. I was not able to attend the wedding since it was in Mexico. It was sad knowing that I could not join her in her special day, but I kept her in my thoughts and prayers. When I saw her pictures later that night, I couldn't help but get teary-eyed, she was filled with joy, and she deserved every bit of it.

I share this story with you for this reason, sometimes we let long distance become an excuse to let go of meaningful friendships. Don't let that happen. I never realized that this friendship was actually preparing me mentally and emotionally to deal with the other long distance friendships I would be having later on in life, especially with those that are in different countries. Now I am pretty much a pro at it. Yeah, they still suck but I have learned to keep them going, and prepared myself for those times where there is only so much I can do.

Have you ever dealt with a long distance friendship that for one reason or another didnt work? and if it did work out, how did you help make it work? I believe most friendships are worth.

I love you Mimi, Fufu.