by RainBird

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: August 01, 2011

As a 12-year-old Air Force brat, I did my share of moving around the country with my family, ending up on some military base somewhere, always being the new kid in class (and in the neighborhood) and never really bonding with anyone; who knew for how long any of us would really be there so what was the point? I found it really difficult to try and build a friendship with kids my age who were struggling just as I was to belong somewhere and not knowing anyone.

That all changed in the summer of my 12th year. In 1980, my dad retired from the military and we settled down into a small unincorporated community in Indiana. There were several kids my age nearby who also shared some of my classes and one in particular, was just the type of friend I needed. My alter ego. Her name was Sandi.

Sandi opened my young naive eyes to so many new things. Where I was quiet and withdrawn, she was wild and carefree. The only girl in her family with two older brothers, she had literally fought at times for her independence and, through her, I shared in that independence for the first time in my life. We were constantly together. We shared a love of music, of rebellion, of pre-teenage angst that propelled us through our teenage years. I loved her like a sister and we shared a common light. We promised each other we would always be there for each other and meant it. When she cried, I cried too. When she dreamed, I wished for it to come true. When she fought, I was right beside her. We shared our secrets, our plots and our plans. We endured through personal domestic problems and heartbreaks. We cried revenge whenever either of us were slighted by another. We had each others' backs. Even the occasional argument we would have between us usually ended in a fit of giggles and hugs. It's hard to stay mad at someone who can make you laugh with just a look.

Into early adulthood, we both gradually moved into our own lives and relationships though we never lost that friendship we enjoyed for so many years. She eventually moved to Georgia and as several years passed, our friendship did not. In Ohio now, Sandi is still a huge part of my life and heart. She still knows me and understands me like she always did. We still whisper and giggle together like school girls. 26 years later, she is still my best friend and I love her for that.

A best friend is someone who never judges you, who listens with her heart and head and understands. A best friend doesn't lead or follow but instead walks beside you. A best friend is the first person go to when you need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to lift you up or just a big hug of congratulations. A best friend is someone you would give your life to defend knowing they would do the same for you. A best friend is someone you miss most when they are far away. If you have ever had a best friend, you will spend the rest of your life sharing the stories of your greatest glories and defeats with the people in your life and the chances are really good that your best friend was beside you for everyone of them. Sandi was all of that and so much more and I will always cherish the joy and laughter she shared with me; so much that I will hold on to that bond of friendship and love forever.

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