Facebook congratulated me this morning on my 10 year “friendiversery” with the lovely Jess. We have been friends since for much longer, but it’s still nice to be reminded of special people in your life and remember how you really first connected.
We met while traveling in 2001. We hit it off, but as it is when on the other side of the world meeting people briefly, I didn’t really expect to stay friends. I had assumed that we were circumstantial friends – real and meaningful but temporary. I was wrong. We kept in touch at first by email, and phone then she visited Vancouver, and I stayed with her when she ended up living in Ontario. We still regularly talk on WhatsApp. It’s the real deal kind of friendship.
The thing about circumstantial friends is that you can’t tell the difference until the circumstances that brought you together are over. It’s always a wonderful feeling when you realize you’ve got a good friend for life; conversely, it can be surprising when you realize it wasn’t meant to be forever. People come into your life at certain times for a reason. They may come back, or not. Each meaningful connection leaves its mark. And all kinds of friendships are important because they help shape who we are.
Perspectively Yours 