OOOOOOOOOklahoma!!!!

My best friend left to start adulting in Oklahoma today. It’s upsetting to see her go, but until you are apart from someone you don’t fully grasp how much they truly impact your life.

It all began 15 years ago when our teacher brought in a ‘grow your own butterfly’ kit. Our class waited and waited for these little bugs to hatch and once they did my life changed forever. One recess I went to the back field to pick flowers for our classroom butterflies to eat (because butterflies eat dead flowers, didn’t you know?) when all of the sudden this crazy-ass B rips the delicious nectar from my hands and stomps all over them, telling me, “that’s stupid”.

You see, at first, I was incredibly angry at this insane little person with such angst toward my love for butterflies, and then I did what all small children do; I ran to that lunch-aid faster than I ever ran in my life and tattled like it was my job.

I have no recollection of what happened after recess that day, but something magical happened. The two of us became inseparable for no apparent reason at all. We even pretended we were sisters on many occasions; buying matching clothes and wearing them when we were out with each other’s parents. She practically lived at my house for the months her family was fighting cancer, and I spent every summer with her family at the beach.

We started high school as best friends but we found different niches through the years. We graduated and I know we didn’t take any photos together. We both left for college and we talked now and again, but newer friends and prior plans had become the norm.

I think the first fall after college graduation was the catalyst that made us find our way back together. We both found work and our free time coincided once again. We started talking more and that’s when she received a fantastic offer to move out west.

The past two weeks with this girl have been some of our best. Spending time with her is almost like we never walked away from each other. Sharing stories and packing unreasonable amounts of clothing have consumed our recent days, and it sounds dumb but I’d like to remember these days more than any others because we are finally Blaire and Cassie again.

I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures and successes. We will take that road trip one day. You can come visit me in Jersey (or Florida J) and I’ll mosey my way out to OKU for a football game or two. I’m so proud of you and I know you can, and will, do marvelous things. I love you Blaire!