How Matching Red Skirts Started a Friendship
In every relationship you get to choose whether you create a strong bond like a lasting steel bridge or an acquaintance like a rope bridge, that may or may not hold the weight you put on it.
Both sides are responsible for maintaining the bridge and connection. When you build strong well-engineered steel bridges, those are connections that last lifetimes.
One of my best friends, Susan and I built a deep trust from an early age.
We first bonded over fashion in the first grade. The recess bell rang and we were lined up for class. Susan and I noticed that we both wore nearly identical red skirts! I don’t remember the words we exchanged, I know from that moment on we were friends.
In 6th grade Susan moved to the next town over and instead of meeting in person, we wrote letters, you know with a stamp that you had to lick.
Even though we only lived 10 minutes apart we didn't see each other in person until they were both 16 with our drivers licenses!
Each letter that we wrote strengthened our bond, our bridge.
We shared our deepest fears and our greatest joys. We celebrated with each other and commiserated when life sucked. We understood each other and it allowed us to grow in our own unique ways while supporting each other on our journey. Susan's letters were lifeline for me as my letters were to her.
We built that deep trusting emotional relationship by writing to one another about what was really going on.
Do you have a Susan in your life?
Our fashion connection didn’t end with our matching red skirts. I discovered that Susan is the best companion for retail therapy! Whenever I shop with her I find the best pieces that stay in my closet for years! (soooo not true with other folks) Susan’s not going to lie to me or steer me wrong and will tell me when something looks good. Then I have a positive emotional experience every time I put on that piece because it reminds me of her and the bond we share.
Our friendship continues to thrive.
We built our initial connection over our matching red skirts. We deepened our bond and created a strong bridge through every letter that we wrote. So that even in adulthood when our lives are busy, our kids take up our time, we still know that we have each other's backs even if we're not there everyday.
What does it feel like when you build a bridge or a lasting connection? (take a moment to journal on it)
Do you love the weekly journaling prompts and wish you had time to journal on them?
One of the best ways to make time (for any new habit you want in your life) is to do it with other people. (because isn’t it easier to show up for other people than it is to dedicate time for yourself?)
Journal with me and a small group of supportive women in CommuniTea. We meet Tuesdays online at 1:30pm Pacific Time. Join the monthly membership or get a day pass HERE.
I was cut off from my yoga community, my safe space of support, and I didn’t know how to find that on my own. I felt so lost.