Love Always, Anna

Hey,

Did I ever tell you about that time in third grade when we met? I was playing at Christina’s house, and you were playing street hockey outside. Christina knew all of you because you lived on the same block and went to Sargent together. I had never met any of you before; I lived across town and went to Poughkeepsie Day. She waved and said hello, trying mostly to get your older brother’s attention. They all grunted and half waved, to cool to be bothered with little girls. You were different though. You stopped, waved and asked how she was. When she introduced me you said hello, asked where I went to school. As soon as you said ‘Cool’ and skated off I was in love.

Massive crush doesn’t even begin to describe the decade of feelings that followed. The fates smiled on me when you were who I got seated next to when I came to Sargent halfway through the year in fifth grade. It was the start of a friendship I had no idea would mean so much to me. Rombout strengthened our bonds, you were the only boy who never said a mean thing to me. That’s a feat for boys, even friends, in middle school.  

By the time ninth grade rolled around I was caught in my own world. Attendance wasn’t really my forte, and I wandered between groups of friends. Even though we were both AP students we didn’t have many classes together freshman or sophomore year. You were always around a corner with a smile and a wave though. When my mom died sophomore year, nobody really knew what to say. A lot of people couldn’t act normal around me or even look me in the eye for months. Not you though, I’ll never forget the day I came back to school and saw you. You caught me at my locker. You just gave me the biggest hug and said I’m sorry. That’s all. You walked away, but it was the most sincere thing anyone said to me. 

From that moment on you were the only one of my friends who never tried to give me advice on the situation. You never tried to tell me how to feel, or what to say. You always listened though. Really listened. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. You’re the only person to this day who’s done that.

Junior and Senior year we were thick as thieves again. You were always one of my favorites. You and I could have a full conversation with a glance. I’ll never forget racing on route 9 in your car on the way home from the drive-in. I laughed so hard that night my abs were sore the next day.

College came and we drifted a little. Three thousand miles will do that to people. You never missed a birthday though. When I came home to visit you were one of the first people I called. The crazy week stints I spent in Tree City are filled with memories that include you. Then I didn’t come home for two years. I missed you terribly but was afraid to tell you. Time and space can change people. 

Not us though. You were just as on board with getting our friendship back as Iwas. Music to my ears. I now get off the phone with a smile. Not only remembering our childhood, but excited for the future of our friendship. I’ve had lots of best friends who were guys, I’ve had lots of romantic interests, coworkers, classmates… they just don’t make ‘em like you. You are kind to a fault, genuine, understatedly funny, and loyal. I’m so lucky o have a friend of your caliber. 

Come to the sunshine state. I miss you fella.

Love Always, Anna