My best friend has boldly gone first in all the great steps in life – job, marriage, mortgages, and starting a family. Since kindergarten, she has been my friend, and I have relied heavily on her for as long as I can remember. I’m quite certain her patience as a mother stems from parenting me through high school and college.
Her milestones came first and because of this, she is the one I immediately turn to. She is the first person I text when I need advice about anything from a child’s infected earrings to a recommendation for a financial advisor.
To my husband’s dismay, I don’t make many decisions without hearing my friend’s opinion first. She is my go-to because she has successfully been there and done that.
It has dawned on me as I bumble through life and parenthood, texting her for all my questions; she deserves a friend like the one she has always been to me.
Much to my regret, I haven’t always reciprocated her friendship. Her wedding came first, and I created bridesmaid drama. She had her first baby and I bought a gift off the registry, visited her in the hospital, and then went back to my childless life.
When it was my turn to get married and have babies, she did and said everything I ever needed from a friend. She stepped in and took care of all the details. I still hope to have more children so that she’ll bring me trays of her eggplant parm!
To my dear friend, I wish I knew better. I wish I came to hold your babies so you could shower and bring you food that you didn’t have to cook. I wish I was there for you more through all your big life moments and didn’t selfishly make them about me.
As we sit around at girl’s night and you tell us stories of raising a pre-teen, I wish I knew how to support you and be the friend you need in this next big step. Our friend group listens wide-eyed as you face yet another phase of parenting first.
Thank you for always knowing what to say, how to help, and for being my person to turn to. I’m sorry that I haven’t always done the same for you. Thank you for teaching me how to be a better person, friend, and mother. By following your example, I’ve been able to pay that friendship forward with others.
