Flashback Friday...The Making of a Friendship

circa 2004

You know how some people you are just comfortable being with? You don't need to be guarded or uptight...you don't need to explain certain things, because you have the same background, interests, experiences and desires? I think as I'm getting older...and also after having moved around so much...I appreciate more and more what a special gift that is. It's this sentiment that brings me to today's Flashback Friday (Is it just me, or did that paragraph sound just like the opening segway to an episode of "This American Life"?) Anyhoo...

Man, how time flies. We've been coming to Chaplains' Conference and General Conference with the Whitakers since 2001. Well, Cliff came in 1999 while he was "investigating" the Chaplaincy...that's when he met them, then Cliff was in Chaplain School during 2000 so we both missed...but the very next year, the stars aligned and the heavens opened and all was right.

The Whitakers arrived at Camp Pendleton right after we left there in 2001, so we have some of the same church friends, too. It would have been fun to be there at the same time...but I think that much awesomeness in one congregation might have ripped a hole in the space time continuum.

Isn't it funny how some close friendships kind of sneak up on you? We've only been stationed in close proximity to each other a handful of years that we've known them (and by close, I mean within an hour or two's drive). We see each other at least once a year at Conference...and spending time with them is always at the top of our list. We laugh SO much...that's something you can count on every year...your stomach will ache from the laughter.

I think Jen and I are the only 2 Navy wives that have come every year since we met. I wonder if it is because we are just that spiritual, or we are just that desperate for time alone with our husbands? At any rate, we've also shared deployments, birthday parties, holidays and dinners...and even a very interesting road trip (which I will save for a separate "my most embarrassing moment ever" posting...maybe sometime in the future...if I'm ever injured and given good narcotics for the pain). We've also discovered Dan's competitive side when it comes to card games, but we all have our shortcomings, right?

When we think of the Whitakers, it's always with the best, most sentimental feelings (and admittedly selfishness, too...as we've wanted them to live wherever we live). Even if that isn't always (or ever) possible...one thing is for sure, we will be part of each others' lives forever (whether they like it or not) and whenever we do manage to end up in the same town...whether it's for a few hours or days...there will be lots and lots of laughter.

Thanks for your friendship, Whitakers...and may God bless you in everything you do!