Today is national Best Friends Day. When I heard that this morning it made me smile. What makes me smile is to think about my “best friends”.

My tribe spans 57 years.

I still have strong ties with two girls I became friends with in junior high school. I am still in touch with many school friends but I have a strong friendship with both Susan and Carol.

Moving along to college age, I have a longtime friend from those years too. Dorothy and I have maintained a friendship for 51 years. Lots of water and adventures under that bridge.

My career years brought many lasting friendships. My friendships with Rosy, Maria and Julie developed as we grew in our careers. Everyone from those days knew that the 4 of us were going to be life long friends.  Rosy was my first friend at my first job. In fact, she trained me for the job. Knowing Rosy brought me to an entire group of fun, active singles! We are a group of 15 men and women who get together every year from all over to spend time together. We have been through so much together- weddings, babies and now grandbabies, divorce, and death. We have all been there for each other and the bond continues to grow. New partners have been brought into the group after divorce and the death of one in our group. And the group always accepts your choice because they understand and accept you.

Another long time friend is a woman I did charity fund raising with starting in the 80’s. Then we started to have European adventures after my divorce. Lots of great memories! Jane sent me the best birthday card this year. It says “We’re like Polka Dots and Stripes. Totally cute on  our own, but more fun and fabulous together”. Perfect!!

I am so blessed that I have been fortunate to have made two more close friends at precisely the exact moment we needed each other. I met Dee and Sharon while our Moms were in assisted living. Our friendship has grown as we went through the same journey to the death of our mothers. The three moms had also been friends and died within a 4 months period. We three are still going strong.

There are also “friends” who have fallen out of my life. Sometimes you can’t even figure out when the relationship veered off course. But it happens and we all know there are people who are only in our lives for a reason or a season. Let it go and keep the good memories.

Now, I have the addition of the ultimate “best friend”, my husband.

Always keep your girlfriends even if time and distance separate you. If you are really lucky they will stay a lifetime with you. And remember, they are the ones you will be able to get in trouble with when you hit the nursing home!