Old Friends and 20 Years

I met Laurie when I was 14 years old. I had just moved from Wisconsin to KC to live with my dad and his family. Did I mention this was the first time I had ever met my dad? I didn't even know I had half siblings. To say I was an emotional mess would be an understatement. I left the only life I had ever known, all my friends, my half brother I had grown up with thinking he was my real brother, and my mom to live with my dad. Again, did I mention I was an emotional mess?! I got on the school bus for my first day of my Freshman year not knowing what to expect and scared out of my ever freaking mind! I was the first person picked up, so I sat all the way in the back, trying to hide. The third or so stop was Laurie and her sister Debbie. Laurie got on the bus and headed right towards the back and started talking to me. Yep, just like that. Didn't she know I was trying to hide? I will leave out the part where she made fun of my 'accent' :) None the less, I was glad to have a friendly face talking to me. During the three years I lived with my dad, she was one of my favorite people. At the end of my junior year, I moved back to Wisconsin and Laurie and I would only talk once in a while. Over the years, we lost touch totally. Twenty years later, through modern technology (Facebook), we reconnected. I had the pleasure of meeting her kids for the first time this past weekend. It warms my heart to see my old friend with kids of her own. Today's post is dedicated to old friends who haven't seen you in 20 years, but still hug you when they see you and make you feel like it was just yesterday you were sitting in their basement watching Purple Rain - over and over and over again.