Erin & Me (& Baby Thor)
Curled up in my flannel sheets at my best friend's cozy Virginia hillside home, I'm reminded what it means to feel truly comfortable. Comfortable in her home, comfortable in her presence, comfortable in my bed, comfortable in my own skin.
Erin is one of my oldest friends from my college days. Over the years this amazing woman has helped me raise my son, brave my crappy jobs, grieve my losses and celebrate my successes as few others have.
Like any relationship, ours has had its ups and downs. Last year we spent the better part of a month living and traveling side-by-side in Europe. We had an amazing journey together, but at times we grated on each other nerves like an old married couple.
We became mirrors to each other during this time. We reflected back the best and sometimes the worst, but always the truth. We saw our shortcomings and our strengths through the eyes of someone we loved and trusted. And we didn't always like what we saw. But we did learn from it.
Today, spending time with Erin and her hubby Jason as they're expecting their first baby, I see only beauty and love reflected back at me. We've learned a lot from each other over the years.
We've learned to be gentle with each other when one of us is being hard on herself. And to be firm with each other when the other one refuses to see what's right in front of her.
We've learned to accept each other WHERE we we are, because we know that WHO we are is far more important. When one of us is having a hard time, the other one never gives up on her. Instead, we hold the space for our friend to step up to be the woman we know she truly IS.
We've learned to forgive each other, because neither one of us is perfect and neither of us expects perfection (whew!).
And we've learned to be silent together without feeling the least bit uncomfortable or the slightest need to fill the space with mindless chatter.
And for all this and so much more... We're better women because we've known each other.
Erin is one of my oldest friends from my college days. Over the years this amazing woman has helped me raise my son, brave my crappy jobs, grieve my losses and celebrate my successes as few others have.
Like any relationship, ours has had its ups and downs. Last year we spent the better part of a month living and traveling side-by-side in Europe. We had an amazing journey together, but at times we grated on each other nerves like an old married couple.
We became mirrors to each other during this time. We reflected back the best and sometimes the worst, but always the truth. We saw our shortcomings and our strengths through the eyes of someone we loved and trusted. And we didn't always like what we saw. But we did learn from it.
Today, spending time with Erin and her hubby Jason as they're expecting their first baby, I see only beauty and love reflected back at me. We've learned a lot from each other over the years.
We've learned to be gentle with each other when one of us is being hard on herself. And to be firm with each other when the other one refuses to see what's right in front of her.
We've learned to accept each other WHERE we we are, because we know that WHO we are is far more important. When one of us is having a hard time, the other one never gives up on her. Instead, we hold the space for our friend to step up to be the woman we know she truly IS.
We've learned to forgive each other, because neither one of us is perfect and neither of us expects perfection (whew!).
And we've learned to be silent together without feeling the least bit uncomfortable or the slightest need to fill the space with mindless chatter.
And for all this and so much more... We're better women because we've known each other.
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