I have been lucky to have many friends in my life. Family have been a blessing too. People from old "places" in my life and others I can't even name.
I've recently been in contact with a gal that 5 years ago, we were in such different places that we couldn't even talk to each other. We had to be "civil" because of our loved ones. Tried and had to tell my loved one that we will just have to agree to disagree.
Then, an idea came to me while talking to Rich and the only person I could think of the bounce the idea off was this person. They were people that just had that sort of vibe that my idea needed. Facebook mail was done (a long one) and I wasn't expecting a reply right away, if at all.
Within a day, I got a message back. They were very excited about the idea and had something that might match up with. They wanted to meet to chat. I was unsure based on our history but I was game.
Now we're having dinner next week. I hope it goes well. I'm quite sure it will.
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Now the other side. The sad side. : ' (
A.K. was my best friend from the eighth grade. I don't think she deserves to have her name - it hurts) We stayed best friends all through school. After graduation, she went off to UBC, while I went to BCIT. As expected, we drifted apart but every month or 2 we would meet for coffee or dinner. She had a child and she asked me to be his god-mother. I said yes. I was so honoured.
I went to work first (2 year program) and then she joined the workforce 2 years later, in a completely different field. Talked by phone quite often. She wanted to talk through some relationship issues. She listened to my loneliness too.
Then she got pregnant again. She said she just couldn't keep the baby and asked me to help her to find suitable adoptive parents. We screened for days until we should the couple she wanted.
Then I ended up in my first REAL relationship with a guy from developmental psychologist out at UBC. It lasts around 6 months. When the harshest break-up of my life (I had to do it but it was mutual in a way. He did something absolutely terrible to me and I cut and ran. Anyway, A.K. came running to my side to help me through it.
We stayed in touch for the next few years by phone mostly.
The, in 2004, I started dating Richard. She and I talked about it with me. She seemed happy for me.
We made plans for coffee one day because I happened to be on the North Shore (where she worked). Well, plans changed and I couldn't make it. Called with a couple of hours before and she understood. At least that what she said.
A few weeks later, she told me she saw James and Rich at the super-market. They didn't see her but it didn't phase her.
Then, I checked my email a week or two later to find and email from her. It was a "Dear John" letter. She said we had grown apart. It was time to "move on". "It's not you, it's me" yada yada yada. She told me that she was moving and didn't want me to find her.
I was "gob-smacked". She was with me half of my life then. I cried for days. It was worse than a "break-up".
Tried to call and phone right away but she was gone.
To lose a best friend is just terrible. I hope that never happens to you.
I have regretted and hated that I have been out of the Field Hockey scene since I blew out my knee 10 years ago. So, I decided to try to get back into it by working on training and drills in Steveston Park. As it turns out, it's MUD. I did find a place to practice my hits though. 
