My BFF is a Good Egg.

My best girl friend has two cats, two dogs, and two chickens.  I have no animals in my house.  At all.  At least, not on purpose.

My best girl friend has no children.  I have two.

My best girl friend is single.  I am most definitely, without a doubt, married.

My best girl friend enjoys pretty much every activity and supports every cause I used to support in my pre-mommy life.  I don't think I actively pursue any cause except my children's appropriate up-bringing, and I don't consistently do anything I used to love and live to do.

Some days I am envious of the life she has.  I miss hiking and playing in the mountains.  I miss eating vegetables for dinner without someone else wondering, "Uh, no meat?".  I miss having the time and energy to devote to reading and creating and spending an hour over coffee in the morning with a good book or a journal...

I remember when I thought being a stay at home mommy would afford me that time.

I remember when I thought being a stay at home mommy would afford me the time to do everything I ever wanted to do.

It's funny, those things that make us friends.  Things like mutual interests (in the case of Marz and I) good conversation, good coffee, mountain adventure, travel, good books, creativity... What's more interesting is what makes two people stay friends.  I still love all of those things, but I only experience one of them on a regular basis-- good coffee.  (Yes, I "travel" a lot for work, but since it's always to Houston and I can't stand Houston, it doesn't really count.)  And let me tell you, I LOVE my coffee time.  But what is it that makes two people stay friends?

Marz and I are very similar creatures.  We're both the youngest of 4.  We both love to be silly.  We both love adventure.  We both love to create and look at beautiful things.

When Marz and I first met, we were in "the same place in life." First year in college.  First time away from home and independent, etc.

Now, we are seemingly on two completely different planets when it comes to "places in life" and yet, if someone handed me an all expenses paid vacation for one to go anywhere for a week, even though she just left, I would go visit her.

And we never talk on the phone.  We don't write many long emails or letters.

But she knows exactly how I take my coffee, and I didn't stress out for even half a second when I didn't have time to clean the bathroom before she came over.

These, to me, are two of the characteristics of an everlasting friendship.  1.  A deep understanding of another person's needs and having the ability to meet them. 2.  Unconditional acceptance of another person's true self.

This is why friendships last or don't... at least mine.

Even though Marz and I are in pretty different places in our lives, we are still best friends.  12 years later.  And she still brings out the best in me.  I am more fun when she's around.  I'm more inspired.  I'm a better writer.  I'm more efficient.  I like my kids more.  I like my husband more.  I like Colorado more.

And I don't know if it's because she's like my own personal cheerleader and says things like, "It's amazing that you even have a garden and grow your own tomatoes."  (When she basically has an entire vegetable farm, complete with fruit trees and a chicken coop, in her backyard.)  or "Wow, your kids hiked 3 miles without complaining or whining."  (When she was the one singing them songs or making up games for Daniel to be entertained and modeling an excited and grateful attitude the entire 4 1/2 hours it took to hike about 3 miles and not really get to any actual destination.)

All I know is that she reminds me of one of the coolest and most creative times of my life, and when I hang out with her, I am inspired to be more like her.  Except, I don't think I want to own my own chickens, even if they do make great eggs.