"Head...Shoulders...Knees and...SOCKS!"

So I just spent nearly an hour and a half on the phone with one of my closest friends, Dee (not her real name). She lives down south, and unfortunately we don't speak nearly as often as we would like, especially now that we are both busy working moms.

I totally adore her - and we've always gotten along really well. We met in college via my roommate. They had the same major and were in all the same classes. So Dee would end up at our apartment a lot to work on projects. We bonded right away because both of our boyfriends had already graduated. Then as we got to know each other better, we found we had a lot in common, a lot of the same values and interests, and our personalities are very similar. She's a staunch Atheist, but was always impressed and with my active role and observance of Judaism, and never afraid to ask questions or learn more, or particiapte for that matter. I've always admired her because she is not afraid to tell you like it is, and we also share the same dark sense of humor.

Since the guys we hung out with had their "Guys night out," the three of started having "Girls Night In" This meant movies and Midori on Sunday nights, and often I would come home from class on Monday afternoon and wake her up on the couch so she could go home.

I was honored to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, and so thrilled that they came down to our wedding even though they were close to broke and couldn't really afford to do so. We were even more honored when they asked Spouse and I to be their first child's god-parents. Tragically, their daughter I.J. died 5 days after she was born due to complications at birth. Without hesitation we flew down to be with them, and Spouse spoke beautifully at the memorial service. I still think about I.J. often.

When I got pregnant a few months after I.J. passed away, I was so nervous to tell Dee, but she was so wonderful and supportive and full of advice throughout the pregnancy. It was so funny when I called to tell her that Child was born. This was big news, as Child was a preemie. I was like "I have big news!" and she was like "I have big news!" "I had the baby!" "I'm pregnant!" It was so funny that we were so excited for each other, that we both wanted to hear more about the other's news rather than tell our own. And within the week, she drove all the way up to DC so that she could be there for the Bris.

Dee's daughter was born happy and healthy, and will be a year old next month. It warms my heart to hear that she's doing so well, and they are all so happy. Unfortunately, we haven't had the chance to go down and visit them and meet the baby. She hasn't seen Child since he was born. They are both now walking and talking. We really need to get these two kids together!

I was thinking that we need to get together, and invited them to come up this summer. Dee's husband got on the line and said "You know...you guys could all come down here! You haven't even seen the new house!" I would love to go visit, I'll have to talk to Spouse about figuring out if we can afford to fly down and visit.

I know that I'm not saying much tonight, but I just wanted to share that I love having Dee has a friend. It is so comforting to know that even though we may not speak or email as often as we used to, she will always be there for me and my family, and she knows that the same goes for us. So thank you Dee for being a wonderful friend and a wonderful person!