Dinner With Karen

After work yesterday I met my friend Karen for dinner.  Karen, if my memory serves me correctly (and it doesn’t always), was the first friend I connected with when I moved to my new school in 5th grade…the school I attended through high school graduation.  I remember we used to have the same “cool” comb in our back pockets.  Both were yellow with a long, fat handle.  Hers had “Karen” written on the handle, and of course “Julie” was written on mine…both in royal blue. 

I can remember a bunch of us getting “married” at recess.  I believe I married Scott, and I believe she married Shannon (a boy).  That was a long time ago.  I consider Karen my longest friend…of over 33 years.  I find it amusing we still live in the same community, just a few miles from each other.  But it’s sad how busy our lives have become, and we haven’t seen or talked to each other for longer than either of us have wanted.

We picked right back up last night where we left off.  It was wonderful!  I love the fact that we can be friends for this long, and we don’t miss a beat when we get back together after not talking for such a long time.  There’s no awkwardness, no uncomfortableness, no weirdness.  Karen is a great friend.

We shared about our families, our work, our lives.  We caught back up on things that are important to us.  We laughed about memories we have shared through the years, especially our Florida trip our Senior year of high school, our Atlanta trip to visit our friend Sheila a few years back, our high school years, and when our kids were little.  We also got to thinking this year will be our 25th high school class reunion!!  How can we be out of school 25 years?  Doesn’t seem possible.  Her youngest is graduating from high school and my oldest is.  Unbelievable!!

It was a wonderful dinner…2-1/2 hours long.  We both agreed we need to do this on a regular basis, and to stay in touch better.  I love Karen and am so thankful she’s a part of my life…all these years!  I can’t wait until the next time we meet for dinner!! 🙂