Friends

In my life, I've came across many friends. Those friends I talk about are those that are lasting friends, childhood friends, recent friends, and those friends who have made an impact on my life in some way, shape, or form. When you are growing up, you always say "we will be friends forever," and with some friends, that may be true. I've had one friend from when we were kids that I've stayed friends with for 27 years and that's Jess Knauer Shafer. Jess and I met when we were babies (our mom's were friends) and have continued that bond. Paige is also another one of those friends I've known all my life. Our parents grew up together, so it is just natural that we would ALWAYS be around each other as well as there for the other person. There are friends that you meet along the way through your grade school, junior high, and high school days. One I can think of is Matt Cavanagh. Matt and I met in 6th grade when the Forrest kids had to go to school in Chatsworth. Matt and I became friends and have remained that. Many people do not understand our friendship, but that doesn't matter. They don't have to!!! Matt and I don't have to talk every day to know that both of us are here for each other. There's also another person I want to mention here...I've known this person for many years, but back in the summer of Junior High days, Jason Maurer and I got to know each other as he was working for the town and I was being a normal teenager. lol! I never thought in a million years that now, at the age of 28, Jason and I would still be friends and as close as we are. I would say that just in the last year, we have made our friendship stronger and we talk quite a bit once again!!! (and Sam Bertram and I are not riding our bikes around town to find him so we can talk to him...lol! I know Jason will get a kick out of that one and will understand that statement!!!) Then, there's the friends you've met along the way after you graduate high school. I have many that come to mind here. My 2nd family: Mama Wendy, Mike, Laura, Cody, Travis, Lisa, Dean, Cale, and Eggy. I met them through Laura (when Laura and I worked at Donnelley's together) and then I met the rest of the family and mama Wendy became like my 2nd mom. Then, there's Chelsey Stacy. We met through Donnelley's too. She thought I was crazy obnoxious when she first met me and was kinda weirded out by me. But, she came from 3rd shift to 1st shift and we've been friends ever since! Oh Amanda...Amanda and I have known each other for many years, but never really knew each other til' we crossed paths when we were in college. I don't know what I would do without her. She's my best friend and sister in every way that counts!!!! Then there's Niki. Niki came into my life about 5-6 years back, but then she didn't really see me for me cause I was around my crazy cousin Connie (whom her and I do NOT speak!!!) But, now that Jeb and Niki got together a year and a half ago, Niki and I are now inseparable. I don't know what I would do without her either. She's just like me in many ways, yet we are so different too! There are many other friends: Kristen, Jimmy, Jamie, Brandon Kara, etc...each of these people came into my life for a different purpose and meaning!

It's never the length of time you know someone, but the impact they have and can have on your life"   

This is a quote I life by. I truly believe that each person comes into your life with a meaning. You may not know at first what the reason is for a person coming into your life, but just cherish the time and reason they are there. 

 There are other reasons a person comes into your life as well. This past summer, I learned an important lesson in friendship. You should never fully trust someone right away even if you have a good feeling. If someone who you are best friends with tells you that they have a bad feeling or that a person rubs them the wrong way (talking about a new friend), then you should probably listen to their advice. I did not listen to her advice this past summer and in August, I got burned by a group of people who I thought were my friends. Boy was I mistaken. This group talks about being a family and having each other's backs...well I'm not sure they really know what all that means. A family does NOT attack someone when it is like 10 against 1...a family sits down and talks about the problem and then works to find a solution. A family doesn't always trust what one person says without hearing the other person's side. This group for the last year talked about how they hated drama, yet the whole group is centered around drama!!! The have also talked about how people were mad at them and starting shit/drama, yet they do the same thing all the time! 

 With that being said, I am now knowing who my true friends are and I'm embracing each and every one of them!!! They mean something to my life and I will NEVER forget why and how they came into my life!!!