One of my favorite moments from my wedding day doesn't involve my groom (though most of them do). See, I have these friends. We all met each other freshman year because most of us lived in the basement of Margaret Daniel dorm on the so-called Honors Hall. A couple of us somehow got adopted into our MDB pseudo-sorority throughout the remainder of that year. And all of us have stuck it out. Here we are now, just about 4 years later. I've graduated, and everyone else is about to in May. My friends have some pretty kickin' plans: Austin, TX for grad school, Peru to work for a missions organization, Colorado to work for Compassion International (followed by a year in France as an au pair), Ameri Corps VISTA at our alma mater, New Orleans to do home repair ministry, and who knows what other awesomeness along the way. In other words, we are scattering literally across the globe.
I really don't like goodbyes. And though I like to think I am good at keeping in touch with people, I'm finding that I really am not, mostly because I've discovered I sort of hate talking on the phone. And I also struggle with remembering that I NEED companionship, especially of the female variety. Large groups wear me out, and I find it easy to settle into convincing myself that Hubby is the only friend I need, and even getting tired just thinking about trying to keep up with/make other friends. (I know that might sound lame and anti-social, but it's true, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.) So that being said, I worry sometimes about what the future holds for these friends and me. We've said we want to be those sweet ladies who get together once a year in some exotic place and for a weekend everything is just like it always was...but friendships like that take work. I pray we will do what it takes, but regardless, I've had countless reminders over the last few years that these girls have become an indelible part of my life.
I put this song by Ingrid Michaelson on our wedding reception playlist called "You and I" per the suggestion of several of these aforementioned friends. Ingrid Michaelson sort of became "our" artist over the last year or so, and I thought it was a happy, appropriate song for a wedding. I imagined them smiling and being happy when they heard it start playing, but it just so happened that I was standing by their table when it did. We all DID smile, and proceeded to sing at the top of our lungs, drawing glances and bemused smiles from around the room. We kept on. And when the musicians in the recording starting clapping a beat, well by golly, we did too.
I had such a blast in those few moments. I felt like I was in a daze for much of my wedding day, overwhelmed by emotions that didn't quite surface until Hubs and I were at home the next night. But I really felt that moment with my friends. And what I felt was love, pure and unbounded.
So I have Hubby, and that day marked the beginning of this awesome ride we are on together. But when I look back, I will also remember these girls, my basement girls. And it will remind me that this I sure has a lot of you's. (Click on the picture to see everyone.)
