Carla and Teresa (BFF)

Last week I talked to two of my oldest friends. It all started with an email. I’d been playing phone tag with one for several weeks and the other one had been on my mind for a while, but I kept forgetting to dig out her email address. I hadn’t called because I no longer have a long commute to and from work and that was when we used to chat, while we were both fighting the hellish traffic together in two different metropolitan cities.

So, when I finally hooked up with my “oldest” friend last week, oldest as in we met in kindergarten and went through every year of school together, I felt an overwhelming urge to find my "second oldest" friend, who I’ve known since 2nd grade, but have only claimed as a best friend since 6th grade. Well, I finally made it a point to email her and spent much of the day on Thursday and Friday laughing at the email exchanges from the two of them.

Carla, my “oldest” friend only lives 2-3 miles away, but sadly we only see each other about once a year, usually when we both attend the Christmas Eve church services at our childhood church. When we first moved here about 8 years ago we did see each other frequently, back when the kids played ball together and our daughter’s were on the same drill team. Then life got hectic after all of the kids started school and things changed. It’s really sad, especially considering the fact that when we do get together both of our sides hurt from laughing so hard.

Friday night Carla called on her way home from work and ended up spontaneously coming over to my house where she spent several hours. I’m not sure why so much time passes in between the visits when all we do is laugh the entire time when we do get together. Between the two of us we can remember so much more about our childhoods. Actually, I do know why. It’s the hustle and bustle of work, kids, chores, life, etc. We always vow not to let that get in the way, but we do. I hope that changes and our plan to meet for margaritas in a few weeks doesn't get pooped on due to a football game or softball practice!

Teresa lives in Atlanta now but still visits fairly often. Carla and I talked about having a slumber party during her next visit and Teresa was all for that idea. Our last slumber party was interesting to say the least, and one that none of us will likely ever forget. That was about 14 years ago. We managed to get 6 old friends together and then dropped in on a few others. I think this next one will be smaller and cozier for reasons I'd rather not discuss!

These two are also my birthday partners. We all have November birthdays, just two weeks apart. By the way, did I mention I'm the youngest? Okay, only by a week or two, but I'm still the youngest! We had a big 30th birthday bash, ummm, a few years back. It was awesome. I wonder if we'll be able to pull another one off for our 40th!

About 5-6 years ago Carla, Teresa and I, along with mine and Carla's mom's took a road trip to attend our other "oldest" friend's wedding. Ironically, our mother's attended high school together. We stayed in Fredericksburg, TX at a quaint little bed and breakfast. By the time our weekend was nearing an end, I felt as if I literally needed to get away from them all before my sides split wide open from laughing so hard. I don't think I could've laughed anymore or any harder for about 24-36 hours straight. I'd forgotten about that trip until Carla brought it up on Friday and suggested that we try to do something like that again. I'm all for it if someone will wrap my rib cage in ace bandages beforehand. I'm not sure they could withstand another weekend like that. Trust me when I say you'd just have to know them to understand. Carla's mom has the most contagious laugh I've ever heard in my entire life. That was all the more fuel for us.

During our email party on Friday, I sent both of them my blog address and briefly explained what a blog was. Teresa's first question was whether I'd written anything about her yet, and then if I'd written about anyone she knew. Then she proceeded to fill my inbox up all day long on Friday with excerpts from our past and suggestions to be used for my next entry. I told Carla about that and she said, "OMG, that is sooooo Teresa". And it is! We both laughed and laughed even more at some of the suggestions from her that triggered fond (and some not so fond) memories of our youth together. I had to remind Teresa that my mom does tend to read the blog and some things would just be better left off! Although she did enlighten her on many of our teenage escapades during that weekend trip! If we do manage to plan another get together with our moms, I just might have to bring a muzzle for Teresa! Nah, I couldn't do that! She'd just gnaw it off anyway and say exactly what was on her mind!

I sent them an email earlier today to let them know I was blogging about them and Carla replied that I better not have written more stuff about Teresa than her. Oh, they crack me up. I sure do miss those girls and all of the good times we've shared! Funny thing is, we can go months or years without seeing each other but we always pick back up right where we left off without missing a beat! So, get your rear end down here, Teresa. I'm ready for that slumber party!