Reconnecting with great friends

23 years ago we lived in Provo and while there for only 3 years, we developed a wonderful, close relationship with people who have become what I call forever friends. Shauna and I got to know each other while assigned to work with and teach the young women at church. We had an instant connection; a comfortableness with each other that was so unique, we felt as though we could be sisters. During those short 3 years, she and I shared everything together, from our joys to our fears to our heartaches, to our successes. We laughed together and dried each other's tears and wiped each other's mouths when sick. We were joined at the hip. Eventually we moved to Springville and they moved to Delta. We found ways to "feed" our relationship and keep it alive. I would drive to Delta and spend a day, or she would come here, or we'd meet in Nephi, telling our husbands we would be meeting for lunch, visit for a couple hours, and be home by dinner time; but that never happened. We'd meet at a park and talk until the sun went down, but we didn't notice until we became cold. Then we'd go grab a bite to eat and continue talking, the night getting later and later, until we would decide we now needed a treat, usually a milkshake, and the talking and bonding would continue. Good times!!! Then life got busier for both of us with our own family commitments and our only connection was through phone calls, but even that began to drop off until before we knew it, I had 3 kids married and 2 grandchildren born before we were able to see each other and connect once again tonight, at her daughter's wedding reception. I was nervous to see my friend, wondering if the years had erased the closeness we once felt, yet as we made eye contact, the tears started to flow. We wrapped our arms around each other and that embrace said it all. We are forever friends. She's my sister.