Who Was Your Childhood Friend?

Chelsea&Co.

Growing up I had so many cousins that I instantly became friends, that I never knew the difference between family and friends. They were all in the same.

Moving to France made me realize what it was like to have to meet people and create bonds, as my family lived in the US, and French Husband's family lived twelve hours away.

Who was your childhood friend? 

When my daughter Chelsea was in Junior High she met three girls that would become her dearest friends; Sophie, Lea and Domi.

 

Friends laughter

 

Over the years they have stayed in touch, even though they have gone far for their studies. Sophie is in Australia, Lea is in Milan, Domi is in Brussels and Chelsea in Paris.

Each has followed a different path, law, nursing, the arts, and business.

Last night they were at our house, they hadn't all been together for six years, and it was like ole times…

I felt like Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater wanting to keep them in a pumpkin shell.

 

Chelsea&friends

Those beautiful girls.

I remember the first time I met them, they were in the sixth grade, and I knew then it was meant to be a long good friendship.

 

This last summer Chelsea, Domi and Lea traveled across the western states. Their stories will weave into a lifetime of friendship.

 

Ole times

 

Last night they talked and talked, laughed and laughed, and loved and loved.

Oh Christmas why cannot you be everyday?

 

Friends Collage

 

Beautiful friendship sharing the range of emotions, ideas and wonder.

 

BFF

 

Friends C & S

"Oh, the comfort

The inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

Having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words

But pouring them all right out

Just as they are chaff and grain together

Certain that a faithful hand will

Take and sift them

Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness

Blow the rest away."

― Dinah Maria Mulock CraikA Life for a Life



Comments

14 responses to “Who Was Your Childhood Friend?”

  1. Friendships like this are soooo extra special. I can imagine how you would have enjoyed the time they were there.

  2. I love the smiles and can almost hear the laughter. Childhood friendships that last into adulthood are rare and cherished. My brother was in an experimental kindergarten class. They kept the class together until Jr. High. They are all still as close as they were in elementary school. Supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. (I am at my parents (Dad had a bad stroke) and may miss some posts, but I wanted to wish you and your’s the happiest of holidays. Merry Christmas and so much joy in the New Year that your feet dance.)

  3. Beautiful poem expressing the essence of friendship. Patsy from HeARTworks

  4. What a beautiful friendship.
    I have a group of 5 friends, 2 from grade school and 3 from freshman year in high school. We all remain in the midwest, but are scattered throughout. About 20 years ago we decided that we would get together for an extended weekend once a year and we have done so since that time.
    “The inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, Having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words” That summarizes our friendship beautifully.
    Thank you Corey and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

  5. so sweet-spent the night at our oldest and DEAREST friends house yesterday-IT IS THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY-it is like home- we laugh at the same things we remember the sweet times of an innocent carefree childhood- i always feel like a million bucks after seeing them-same for my friend from highschool -all those years and as much as change has happened the core of us has not and then there is my sister-my ever present ever constant friend-I AM SO LUCKY-SO BLESSED-

  6. thank you for capturing the face of friendship. imagine friends moving to 3 different continents and yet maintaining a close tie and even traveling together.
    wish i were a fly on the wall last evening..cherishing the hugs and laughter, the chatter and comraderie ..witnessing a growing life long friendship.
    so precious

  7. My dearest friend Ginny and I have been friends since 3rd grade. Through all my travels and living in England and now New England, we always stayed in touch and shared each others secrets and dreams. Now we are both 60 and still keep in touch though we live in different parts of the country. Friendships that last for many years like this are very rare, and to be cherished. It’s seldom we see each other now but when we do we have a great time, just like when we were young.

  8. My longest-standing friends are from college, and we treasure one another. However, I cut off the few I’d kept in touch with from junior high and high school for various good reasons: One took up chain smoking, which I physically was unable to be around; another, who was somewhat materialistic in HS, became insufferably so in college and early adulthood, a huge snob; and a third became a druggie. Their loss, I figure.

  9. Just to clarify: The chain-smoker mocked me for being square and blew smoke in my face; the über-materialist got annoyed whenever we’d go shopping together, because she was well-off and I wasn’t (also, because they’d already bought a house in Pacific Palisades, while we were in grad school and lived in an unfurnished 1-BR apt. in a modest part of Oakland); and the third gal probably slipped something illicit in my tea one evening when I was visiting, judging by the way I felt for about 12 hours afterwards. With friends like that, who needed enemies?!?!?!

  10. I have dear friendships from grade school, high school, college years & adulthood….non I would trade. Each girl (& 3 dear boys) mean the world to me. They each make a piece of whom I am today & some try to keep me on the straight & narrow ( a tough job)… I truly, deeply, lovingly cherish each one of them!! Three friends & their families will gather for Christmas Eve Bfast tomorrow…. A new tradition I hope!!!

  11. Friendships that last through moves and changes; hold strong through schooling, marriage, children, divorce, personal transitions…..and still the friendship bonds. Yes, those are so precious gifts in my life. Just one from early childhood, and then from age 19 on the gathering and holding together as friends has become the most beautiful garden of exquisite flowers. All different, all special and important to me. I write many letters, some on-line, and some of us speak on the phone. Whenever we can get together we do and it is always as though no time has passed…whatever glue was there so long ago is still strong. Friendship is a treasured jewel to me. Thank you Corey for a beautiful memory story…again, and the poem is a perfect container for friend feelings.
    May your holiday time continue to bless you and your family.
    Peace and love to you all,
    Kristin

  12. I so enjoyed this post and the lovely photos! What memories!

  13. True friendship stands the test of time. As ever Corey, the most appropriate words at the most opportune time.

  14. It’s wonderful to witness a daughter’s friendships and to understand the joy and support those young women will share through the years. Your pictures captured the evening and the relationships beautifully. I enjoyed it very much and got to the end and found that and you’d even closed it with a poem that I read just a couple of hours ago as I was looking though a small notebook in which my mother had saved inspirational poems, prayers, and thoughts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *