In that instant I couldn’t hear the two toddlers in the back seat giggling at their dad who was behind the wheel. I couldn’t hear my Adele CD whispering from the speakers and I surely couldn’t hear my busy mind reviewing tomorrows work duties, grocery lists and the million other working mommy “to do’s”. My eyes could only focus on the four teenage ponytails bobbing in sync to what must have been today’s hit song. The four girls in the back seat danced together with a fifth BFF in the front passenger seat and a handsome your man behind the wheel. Their smiles were mischievous and carless as they lived up the last few days of summer vacation. I could only imagine their to-do list included laying out, texting and a kegger out at Cut-Foot. (Does Cut-Foot still exist or has that once high school party orchard turned into a new housing development?)
The sight of the teens threw me back to my own teenage days and the shadowed outline of the party of six turned into the faces of 5 special people in my life. The lifted red Chevy turned into my high school sweethearts’ ridiculously awesome car also known as the infamous “Beast”. My young face sat in the passenger seat looking back at my 4 BFF’s. Our eclectic tight nit group of 5 couldn’t have been more different, but fit together like an extravagant puzzle. We had polar opposite family dynamics, looks, grades, interests and styles. Almost like a cooler version of the once popular Spice Girls… Sweet, Sporty, Sexy, Wild & Strong. I can’t even choose who fits what description because as different as we were we each had a bit of each trait in us.
We cut class, snuck out, TP houses, kissed boys, rocked pep rallies, ruled football games, decorated school spirited outfits, danced in (and on) cars, went camping, slept on the beach, drank, smoked, shared secrets, laughed, cried and everything in between. I could go on forever with stories… We lost touch then reconnected and still to this day get together and laugh and sometimes cry. They’re the friendships that matter most; the ones that no matter how much or little time goes by you pick up where you left off. I enjoy each one of them for different reasons and appreciate each of them for who they are.
Fast Forward
Those 4 best friends of mine who I once shared beer bottles and sneak out sleepovers with are still a part of my life today thankfully. In 11+ years they have grown into 4 beautiful, strong, unique, successful young career women. The kindhearted Social Worker, the dedicated chain store Manager, the resilient Register Nurse and the passionate Firefighter/Paramedic all four 28/29 year olds that I hope to know and share memories with into my late 80’s, God willing.
That picture perfect high school sweetheart left this world just over 3 years ago while serving his country on what he called the greatest team he’d even been a part of, the U.S. Army. His many friends and family could fill the world with countless stories of the young hero. There are not enough words to explain him to readers. Just imagine an amazing, caring, fun loving, loyal, best friend and multiply it by a thousand. I was lucky enough to spend a few years as a part of his life and I’m thankful for the memories too tender to tell.
After all these thoughts ran through my mind the light was green and the sweet giggles of my precious baby girls brought me back to where I am happiest now. Just then the strong hand of my husband rested on my leg and we where almost home to our white picket fence life.
Tempus Fugit = Time Flies
Part of my career is creating programs, classes, events and activities (to name a few) and a portion of that includes working with seniors. I often hear them tell stories of their lives and it amazes me how they feel like just yesterday they were my age. It scares me to death thinking that before I know it I could be attending ceramic classes reminiscing about the old days although I think I did just that because in some ways it does feel like it was just yesterday that I was in the vehicle dancing with my best friends and enjoying a careless summer vacation.
Tick tock… Don’t watch the clock, live, laugh & love.
Good night for now.
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