A while back I heard a story about a mother who was preparing her young son for a move. He wanted to know if he could take his toys to the new home. The response was "Yes." Then he asked if he could take his Sunday School teacher. The response to that question was "No." My immediate response to this little story was, "oh yeah." You can take all of the things but none of the people. That's when it hit me - that perhaps I relied more on things than friends when I was growing up. Not necessarily all that surprising for someone who grew up in a military family, and never lived in the same place or had the same friends for more than a couple of years at a time.

I have some dear friends in my life now whom I have known and loved for more than 6 years. Not very long, in a lifetime, but our lives have become so entertwined over the years that I can hardly remember what life was like before them. These girlfriends - sisters, really - have taught me more about life and relationships than I ever thought possible. More than I knew I needed to know! If I am ever blessed with a husband, any success in that relationship will be in no small part because of the lessons my friends have taught me, as they loved me and taught me how to love them through all the ups and downs that life has to offer.