Forgetful Me

Life can be overwhelming sometimes. In the midst of tests, due dates, and running reading assignments, it's easy to overlook what's good in life.

Sometimes I forget what wonderful people let me call them my friends. I forget how much fun I have just sitting around and talking in the code of our inside jokes with Lee, Alisa, and Adam. I forget how affectionate Anna is, and how she gets real joy out of simply being a good friend. I forget how Erica is my sarcasm soul mate, and how I feel like I'm somehow funnier just because she's funnier. I forget how people used to think Lauren and I were twins, even though we look nothing alike, just because our every mannerism mirrored each other. I forget how much I love being single because my guy friends are so precious to me: deep talks and obscure movies with Josh, big brother advice from Ben, sweet hugs and antiquated chivalry from Joe, outrageous conversations with Trey, knowing looks from Blake, reliving memories with Jacob, comparing teacher notes with Justin.

This week I have been spoiled by my friendships. Heath, Josh, and I saw Inception last night, and Heath honked my horn at so many strangers I wanted to cry. Josh sweated through a plate of hot wings and didn't filter a single thought as they poured out of his mouth. We struggled to make sentences after our minds were obliterated by Leonardo DiCaprio and the Inception gang, and we laughed. Most importantly, we laughed.

Tonight I went to Lee and Alisa's and watched Arrested Development with the newlyweds and Adam. We could barely pay attention to the show because the right word set off ten minutes of inside jokes and rolling eyes. Adam and I petitioned for bunk beds in the guest room, and it took all four of us to go through the check out line at Piggly Wiggly for a single roll of cookie dough. And so we laughed; for hours it seems, we just laughed.

Tomorrow night is girls' night. I love a good girls' night from the relationship talk to the gossip to the thousands of inevitable snap shots. I love the desserts and the giggles and the freedom to be the uncensored you. We're going to the best Chinese restaurant on this planet, and then we'll go back to Erica's house and talk about the 5 pounds we just gained. We'll talk about who's next to get married and what colors they'll use, and I-- the lone single lady-- will weigh in on my fantasy man. And we won't just laugh, we'll giggle... and we'll probably feel the effects of our giggles in our ribs come Friday morning.

This weekend one of my best friends is getting married to a beautiful girl who has quickly become one of my good friends. Ben and I have sustained a very sibling-like relationship for years, me calling him out when he's out-of-control and him offering hours of unwarranted advice on life and dating ("You're too much like a guy, Linds, you've gotta ditz it up sometimes"). I can't wait to see it all... the flowers, the dresses, but especially the look on Benjy's face when Hannah walks down the aisle. I'm sure I'll sob, and Joe will undoubtedly be uncomfortable, but later we'll dance and take pictures and eat too much cake. And we'll laugh and beam as we wish them well.

The thing is, my friends aren't important to me because I can't make it on my own. I am sustained in the Lord and richly blessed with a wonderful family. My friends are important to me because they are the cherry on top of the sundae of my life (cliche much? but really, the cherry is crucial, otherwise it's just an ice cream scoop and syrup). My friends are the flavor of my life: in the silence of a movie theater, in the tears of a break-up, in the side-splitting laughter on any given night.

I'll have to try not to be so forgetful.