It all depends on the hour of the evening or which one of us you ask, but the story of how we met most definitely changes ever so slightly with each telling. The cold hard facts are that it was second grade, we were both in the same class, and our teacher was turning thirty (so old!). I, being me, had carefully organized for a class gift to happen, collecting a dollar from everyone in the class and preparing the gift (that of course, only I had chosen) ahead of time. She, being her, had opted out of the plan that everyone else was going along with and created her own unique gift. Thereby, of course, ruining EVERYTHING! Most especially my plan. And here's where a whole lot of discrepancy comes in. There may have been a curse word uttered from one of us to the other, or there may have simply been accusations of one, there was a visit to the principals office, maybe detention, maybe not, but definitely tears. Oh the intensity of being eight years old! It was that, for sure, an intense day in the life of two eight-year-olds.
That day was also the start of my oldest and dearest friendship. One that has gone on now for, oh gosh, well, a very long time. Quite easy to count too, as we both turn forty this fall. Thirty-two years we've spent together - wading through awkward teen years, stumbling through tumultuous college times, somehow landing in motherhood alongside one another and of course all the life that happens in and around all those years. We have gotten each other both into and out of trouble countless times. We share holidays together, and our families with one another, and despite how different our day to day lives are, our friendship, rooted so deeply in the past, only continues to grow in love and strength as the years go by. I never take for granted how blessed I am by this kind of friendship in my life.
And in all this time, can you believe she hasn't been a knitter? It just wasn't her thing. She's certainly sat through many moments watching me haul out my latest project and blather on about it, or heard me say 'just one more row' before giving my full attention to the conversation. Earlier this year, on a sleepover (yes, we still have sleepovers), she asked me to show her how to knit. The moment I've been waiting for! She picked it up faster than anyone I've ever 'taught.' I showed her once and off she went, smart cookie, and a total natural. So when forty rolled around for her recently, I took the opportunity to set her up properly with all that she needs - a project bag, and notions bag full of the essentials (have you seen Yarn Balm yet? I'm loving that). And some squishy yarn to boot. (The notions bag was made with this zippered pouch tutorial.)
Thank you, dear Rachael, for all these years of love and laughter and friendship. Thanks for putting up with me. Thank you for being you. But most importantly, thanks for making all my future gift-giving holidays with you SO much easier. Yarn for everyone! Hooray!
