You’ve probably heard that old adage (or maybe it’s just a trendy quote?), “Friends are the family you choose.” And you might also agree, it's a rarity to have people in your life who qualify as both.
As I write this, I’m in Charleston, South Carolina, spending the long weekend with two favorite friends (and no, Neil Diamond isn't one of them) ...
... who happen to be my family, too. And I’m thankful!
Emily and Molly and I are cousins, and although we lived six hours apart throughout childhood, our parents were faithful to give us opportunities along the way to spend time together, and ultimately, develop friendships with each other.
These days, even living in three different states, and navigating our way well into adulthood, we still manage to reunite and live new experiences together. Our moms also travel with us sometimes, and those are cherished memories we make together, too.
This particular trip is in celebration of Emily’s 33rd birthday (it’s today!), so it’s only fitting that this Thankful Thursday is in honor of her! We’re only six months apart, so growing up, we had such fun.
Here are some of my favorite memories with Emily that I’m thankful for today:
- Laughing and talking late into the night, and our parents knocking on the door to tell us we needed to go to sleep.
- Matching jackets.
- The dance routine in her front yard, accompanied by a cassette tape of “Jump (For My Love)” by the Pointer Sisters (you only wish you could’ve seen the costumes).
- The Georgia-Florida game every year in Jacksonville.
- Summer swaps.
- Puff paint t-shirts.
- $7 manicures at Irene’s with Barbara Ann (true story).
- Synchronized swimming routines in the pool.
- The surrey rental on Jekyll Island. (Di-sas-ter, by the way.)
- Playing Kick-the-Can in the neighborhood.
- Arranging vocal and piano duets. Our top performances were “Silver Bells” at Christmas, and anything by the Carpenters. (We were children of the 80s, people. Don’t judge.)
- Visiting each other’s college campuses.
- A shared understanding of our family’s propensity to break into song at any given moment.
- Celebrating our 30th birthdays in Puerto Rico.
- The tragic photography skills of passersby at Rockefeller Center.
Oh, I could go on forever! This just tips the iceberg! I’m thankful today for many more stories yet to come. And for these friends who, no matter the circumstances, will always share with me the lasting bond of family.
Happy birthday to you, Emily. J And cheers to Charleston!
What're you appreciating today? Go on, be grateful!
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