July 15, 2011...

Happy Birthday to my dear Friend Anne Marie.

It was almost 32 years ago that I met Anne Marie at Capo Valley High School. We both ended up in the same P.E. class and we were inseparable during all the rest of high school. For reasons that don't need to be gone into now, we kind of drifted apart right after high school, but somehow, thank you Classmates.com, came back together again in December of, I believe, 2002. We chatted some here and there, went to our 20 year reunion together and have talked off and on since then.

Wednesday night we had a chance to get together and go to dinner. Although we've gotten together sporadically since our 20th reunion, it always seemed a bit uncomfortable (didn't know what to say, etc.). But something changed Wednesday night. We got together, reminisced, laughed and genuinely had a great time. And, when we hugged goodbye, it was such a warm hug.

I'd like to think that this means that we'll be closer.

Neither of us really enjoyed high school like we should have. I know it's supposed to be a fun time and all but I think we both felt completely out of place. We lived in an upper middle class neighborhood without being upper middle class. We watched as our peers drove their mercedes' and BMW's to school while she was driven by her mom and I took the bus. Everyone had the best clothes and shoes; we had whatever our parents bought for us. We were the 'bookworm geeks'. Took the AP classes. Did our homework ages in advance.

Once we met, life seemed a little more enjoyable. We didn't need anyone else. We made our own fun! We were together most every weekend; all weekend long. We went to movies. Spent the night. Made up stories about our grand weekend adventures (remind me to tell you about the Quogs one day) and once we both started working at McDonald's, a whole new world opened for both of us. We made friends, lots of friends. We felt part of a group. It seemed to be our thing!

Although Anne Marie didn't last at McDonald's as long as I did, or I should say at the same McDonald's, we truly had a great time while there and I have her to thank for any good memories I do have of my teenage years. And don't even get me started on what her mother did for me while she was alive. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for that wonderful woman and her beautiful daughter.

So, again, I say Happy Birthday my Dear Friend. I hope you know just how much you mean to me!! And please know, I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Anytime, day or night!

Love you my FRIEND.