I've known R since the first day of 5th grade when I knew no one. My first day at a new school was tough. I can still remember standing at the top of the stairs in my rolled pants and pink socks waiting to see who my teacher would be and scoping out my classmates. I was nervous about meeting everyone but also nervous about being teased (my last school wasn't all that friendly). My parents were very good to my brothers and I when choosing to move so we didn't have to leave in the middle of a school year. I see the blessing in disguise now, but lying in the driveway so they wouldn't drive away didn't work!
R has been an amazing friend from 5th grade to now. We talk almost every day on just about anything - texts about shoes at work seem to pop up more lately, but anything from serious to funny to just sitting on the couch listening to each other work means a lot to me sometimes. (Glad that we both have the same phone company = free minutes!) R's sending packages at random times with goodies inside; cards because she's heard I had a rough day at work; plenty of calls when I underwent surgery in November; hugs when pets have been lost; etc. aren't what I look for to "get" from her - I treasure the conversations and support I know will be there at the push of a button.
We've had pears thrown at us before a school dance; played in the middle/high school bands; visited each other at our respective colleges; had numerous sleepovers and pool parties; cried together over breakups; driven to the mall for that perfect outfit or Coach purse; and have even been to Vegas to celebrate being independent ladies and friends.
I don't remember exactly what R said to me on that first day of 5th grade, but I do remember her introducing herself to me because she thought it was cool that her name and my name could both be boy names. Funny how that 5th grade mentality has made us the best of friends.
