For some time now I've been thinking about my awesome girlfriends and it wasn't until I started reading Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares that I realized why. In the book the friends have lost some contact with each other because if their busy lives and when one of them unexpectedely dies, the others don't know how to cope together and they feel like they can't rely on each other. After reading about it, I knew that if we ever encountered something like that I never wanted it to be us because I wouldn't want them to go through something that bad alone. Also, I wanted them to know how much they mean to me.
Disclosure: you may think I have a lot of girlfriends, but they all super special to me.
For more than 15 years I've been blessed with the friendship of Damaris, Dania, Chary, Florence and Irene. I've actually known Damaris and Irene since 3rd grade and Florence since 7th. These girls, no matter how long we go without talking, every time we get together it is like no time has passed. We continue our conversations as if we see each other every day. We have been through great times and bad times and we have still remained close. There is a bond beyond high school (like the girls in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)that binds us together. I will do anything for these girls.
The Original Orlando 5
I met Yari 11 years ago while doing the Walt Disney World College Program. I don't know exactly how we met, but we became instant friends on a flight from Orlando to Puerto Rico. From then on a great friendship developed. One of my fondest memories was going to Pleasure Island with her and going to parties in her apartment in Mayaguez (best house parties EVER!!!!!). That CP bond made us great girlfriends. She is funny, caring, smart, talented, calm, artistic and loyal. It was such an honor to have been a bridesmaid at her wedding. I enjoyed helping her go through that fantastic time in her life and see her marry her soulmate. Now, even though I don't see her often, she still called me to tell me I was going to be an auntie! How exciting! And then, she texted me to tell me the sex, double wammy. I know she is going to be a great mom.
I met Nydia and Jennifer in college. We majored in English so we took a lot of class together. When I moved to Florida I lost contact with Nydia but Jen and I continued our friendship because she came to do the College Program after I moved to Florida so we hung out all the time ( I remember a night we all went to Pleasure Island and I got her to drink a shot of B52). Jen and I bonded a lot more because we traveled together to different places ( she like to celebrate her birthday each year in different places). We've been to DC, PR, Hilton Head, Tampa, Sarasota and St. Augustine, among other places. I think we became even closer when we lived together. We already knew we had a lot of things in common, but living together we were able to hang out even more. She was an excellent house mate. We would watch telenovelas, movies, tv shows( she got me hook on How I Met Your Mother), cooked, go to the parks, shopping, etc. That time for me was very precious.
Nydia came back into the picture after Jen moved to Florida. She was a great addition to my group of friends. We became better friends when she became a teacher. We would share our horror stories and lessons so much that Jen got so annoyed with us that started prohibiting us to talk about work. Another thing that made Nydia and I closer was going to Grad School together. We took the same classes, always wanted to work on a project together, until professor denied it. She is a true friend, always thinking of others before herself.
Oh my dear Caro! I met Caro in 2005 when she moved in the house that I used to live in. When we started talking about our lives, we realized that we knew the same people, hung out in the same places, but never met ( we came to the conclusion that it was for the best that we did not meet before Florida). We became friends instantly. We had a great chemistry and I felt that I could talk to her about anything. It felt easy. Even after tons of senseless drama Caro and I are still friends, best of friends. She understands me and and I understand her. She is really my Yin to my Yan. We have things in common, but not many (she has over 800 friends on Facebook and I guard my heart). She is brilliant, caring, loving, and so much more. When she told me she was getting married I was beyond trill. Even if I'm not her Maid of Honor I'm excited to help her, as much as I can, get ready for that special day.
I met Agnes through her brother. She helped me get a job as a teacher. We became friends after that. She is like the big sister I never had. She tell you things like they are, but at the same time she cares deeply for you. We worked together for 3 years in the same school and I really enjoyed having her as my boss. I felt that I could always achieve my best, because she always demanded the best. She is so knowledgeable, caring and funny. Agnes is someone that I would always look up to and admire.
Two of my newest Friends:
I met Mary Lee in our Thesis class in Grad school. We started talking because she has a Sophie Kinsella book ( my favorite author). After that we started talking more and more. I started inviting her to things I did with my girlfriends and sometimes she would join us. She fitted very well. Mary is the kind of person that is reserved and shy, but once she gets to know you, she opens up. She is caring, intelligent, funny among other things. She was a great addition to my group of friends...
When I moved to Virginia I knew people, but I knew that I had to make a new set of friends. Virginie a.k.a The Frenchie is my across the street neighbor. We became friends when she invited me to exercise with her. At first, our walks where just casual, then one day we became inseparable. We walked together, shopped together, did the groceries together and went to the movies together. Becoming her friend was really easy just like the others. What I really like about her is that she does not have inhibitions, if she wants to do something she does it. She also pushes me to do better. She is a really funny person, but above all she care about you. She is so easy to talk to and I don't have to go far to see her.
Disclosure*****
I have other great girlfriends that I've met while in Virginia and they are awesome. Just because I did not mentioned your name does not mean I don't care. I wish I could hightlight the qualities of all of you but then this blog post would be too long.
I guess I am a lucky girl when it comes to friends. So in a way me and my girlfriends are like the girls of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, no matter the distance or the problems, our friendship will always last.
