On friendships

Obviously, moving across the country to a town where you don't know anybody is rough. Leaving the home you've had for 21 years, and all those friendships, behind is heartbreaking and emotional and still makes me want to cry almost a year later.

But I've been able to form new friendships here, and they mean the world to me. Not even a week after we moved, part of a filling fell out (one of my worst nightmares) and I didn't even know where to begin looking for a dentist. Luckily, I had been in contact with Lyzz for a few months before our big move, and through her I met Kristen and Allyssa. One of the first times I met Kristen was on a trip to New Bern, looking for a dentist that TriCare covered. When I learned that I wasn't even enrolled in  TriCare yet, I had a minor breakdown where I sat outside and cried for a good 10 minutes. I've always been great at first impressions, just ask Matt. Instead of getting as far away from the emotionally unstable, crazy lady that I was, both Lyzz and Kristen came outside and comforted me, and the day actually wasn't all a loss, seeing as we went to Starbucks and Target for a little retail therapy. 

It was so nice to have friends who completely understood the crazy that is the military lifestyle. I can text them and say "stupid work stupid stupid 16 hour shift I'm lonely and talking to my cats would you like to come over and watch TV with me?" and they understand completely. It was such a relief to make friends who not only understand the strains and stresses of a military lifestyle, but also who have common interests (coffee, cats, fictional characters).

Sadly, both Lyzz and Kristen have moved out of state, and while I'm very glad their husbands got out of the military and are onto 'normal' civilian life, I still miss them with all of my heart. That leaves just Allyssa and I out here, and we are a match made in antisocial, cat loving heaven.



I'm so grateful to have a friend out here who will listen while I blather away about things that are truly  stupid and insignificant, who is a comfy shoulder to cry on when life get's overwhelming, and who understands my love of frozen waffles. 

Having long distance friendships is hard, especially with differing work schedules and life responsibilities, along with a 3 hour time difference. My friend Jami and I can go weeks without talking, and then make silly inside jokes about Doctor Who and it's like she's not 3,000 miles away.



It's also refreshing to have a friend who isn't constantly dealing with military things, and who will say "wow that is so ridiculous  when I whine about crazy hours or silly work things that I'm used to, even if they are annoying. It's so comforting that I have such amazing friends in so many different places, and I know that I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing, cross continental support system. 

My friends have definitely seen me at my worst (I'm really good at breaking down and crying at the drop of a hat) and who encourage me to be my very best.