My kind of friend knows what I need without my saying.
She loves hard, and walks in my shoes within the walls of her mind. She does this to love me more, and understand me better.
My kind of friend makes a mean Asian Sesame noodle concoction that will knock your socks off.
She is gracious, and doesn’t hold grudges or keep score. She does her thing and I do mine. We enjoy each other’s accomplishments and never feel threatened.
My kind of friend makes dinner for me 3 times in a week when my kidneys do crazy things.
She takes my boy so he can get out and hang with his friends. She even takes my girl sometimes.
She asks me about the things going on in my life: the blog, the studio, my family, homeschooling.
My kind of friend delights in talking about the Lord. She isn’t afraid to challenge me, and allows me to challenge her.
She makes time to hang out despite our busy schedules–at 9 p.m. if need be.
She is faithful to her husband, her family, her work. She lives her life with zeal and passion.
My kind of friend lifts me up and makes me better.
She giggled with me in high school, and she cried with me when life made us grow up.
She knows the power of a good piece of chocolate.
My kind of friend doesn’t fit one mold. She tolerates me and my sensitivities, and my incessant daydreaming and busy brain. She loves my kids in all their imperfections.
I would trust her with their lives.
She juggles twins and a toddler with just the right amount of real and perfection. And looks beautiful to boot.
My kind of friend gets that while we can’t always chat for hours on end, it’s the call or text that counts. She remains my friend when life is shiny and when it’s dull.
She is a voracious reader, learner, teacher.
More than anything, my kind of friend does this one special thing.
She lets me be in her life and I in hers. She’s there when I get a mean comment on the blog, when my kids embarrass me to death, and when my spirit is low.
And I love her fiercely for it.
*I’ve been blessed to have made many friends throughout this life, but there have been a few who have seen me through it all. To Carol Leah, Jenny, Lisa, & Lauren–I love you & am thankful I can call you mine. Well, you know what I mean.
Beautiful tribute to your friends! I love reading your writing! Have a wonderful day! So proud of you!!!!
That got me teary-eyed. Really lovely.
Thank you, Jill. Teary in a good way, I hope. 😉
shaunna
Thank you, my sweet mom. You know you’re on this list, too.
🙂
xoxo,
shaunna
What a beautiful post and tribute to your girlfriends. We all need more friends like that in our lives.
Thanks, Angela!!! Yes, I’ll take as many as I can get.
🙂
shaunna
Beautiful post Shaunna!
Thank you, Tonya! How are you these days?
🙂
shaunna
Warms my heart..and I’m sure your respect for her warms her days too. Reading is…..immediately my heart went to my friend, Marilyn who has been a treasure for 40+ years. All that said, please beg her to post the recipe for her noodle dish:)
Um, I’m balling! I am more and more impressed with your writing with every blog entry I read. I appreciate you so much and the fact that we can pick up the phone at any time and call each other with problems or exciting news, or whatever it may be..even if it has been shamefully long since we’ve talked, it still feels like you live right next door to me in my college apartment and that I can knock on your door anytime. Seeing all of those pictures that were posted on FB recently from our college days made me so happy and sad at the time. Happy because I realize how much God blessed me to have made life-long best friends like you and sad because part of me misses those “care free” days! We are adults now, with little bitty ones to try to raise and influence…how did that even happen??? 🙂 You are a wonderful friend and I love you and miss you!!
That was a beautiful post! I would say that you are lucky to have her, as she is to have you.
I recognize the last photo as being in Annapolis. I live a few streets away from Maryland Ave.
This is exactly why this is MY kind of blog!!! I love how the “real” person behind your screen shines through! You’re very blessed to have them & they’re just as blessed to have you. I can see all of you “front porch sittin” when you’re in your 60’s laughing about yesterdays:-)
Hi Dawn,
I can definitely picture the same thing! Yes, we are blessed!
Well I am crying! You are so beautiful! Your spirit, heart, head, writting, love for others- so beautiful! Thank you for that precious glimpse into your heart! Now come see me!
Your beautiful words touched my heart and make me realize just how many precious people I left behind when I became an ABA (an Aussie born abroad) so long ago! I miss those special moments immensely. Lucky, lucky, lucky you to have such awesome friends. Hx
You’re an amazing woman, deserving of good friends. Thank God for giving us friends of kindred spirits in this crazy world!
It is easy being your friend. I am a lucky girl! Thanks for being so kind, so genuine, and so loyal. I think this post deserves a batch of that mean Asian Sesame noodle concoction! 🙂
Thanks for showing me what friendship should look like. I’ve never had a lifelong friend. Actually I’ve never had a close friend. Thought I did once,but I didn’t. Might be developing one right now-hopefully this will help me to not mess it up because I have no idea what I’m suppose to be doing. How often is it ok to call? How do I just let myself be me? My mother never allowed visitors to our house from when I was 8 years old on up and I was abused by her as well and never really knew how to relate to women,but I believe the Lord will teach me. I’m already 37 so hopefully can figure out this out soon,but this definitely helped. Did it take awhile to get to this point?
Hey Gina,
I can only say Praise God for your honesty and openness. I’m so sorry for your pain, but I do pray that God will take your mourning & turn it into dancing! It sounds like He already is since you are trusting in Him. I think it takes all of us quite a while to develop the ability to love unconditionally–which is what being a friend, daughter, wife, mother, etc. is all about. I pray He will bring someone into your life that doesn’t expect you to be anything but yourself–that’s what we all need anyway! Don’t worry too much about how often to call…just call when you want to say Hi. 🙂 Through different circumstances, God has taught me I am most blessed in friendship when I’m not too needy or demanding or expect too much, but when I want to give to my friends…when I want to serve them and love them just as they are. Praying for continued healing and lots of blessing through friendship!!
🙂
shaunna