Girl Talk.

Since last summer, I really started evaluating what kind of friend I am, and then what kind of friend I want to be.  I don't consider myself to have "a lot" of friends, (which I am fine with, do not think this is a plea to tell me I have many friends) but the friends I do have, I am close and honest with.
I take friendship maintenance seriously, I know that time, care, and love have to be put into it.  I talk to the same people on a daily/weekly basis.  Besides my own mother and mother-in-law, I typically talk to the same 3 people: 

Rebecca, Lori, and Jen.
  I think for the most part, they know all my dirt or my current dirt.  I'm sure all three would agree that I am not the best person to call because for the most part, when I'm home and engaged, I don't answer.  BUT, I do my best to make sure when I do answer or call them back, that they have my full attention.
I told Becca the other day, that I would like to start a trend where when you are disinterested in the conversation, you can just hang up and that be okay.  Obviously that is where I need some more work.
Do you have specific friends that you call depending on the circumstances?  Either they get really excited for you, defend you, have sympathy for you, give sound/kind advice, loving, justice seeking...the list goes on.

Rebecca- The sister/friend.  I still feel like I can kind of boss her around and that she listens to me.  We shared a bedroom for 14 years, so we have many memories.  We share some of the same frustrations and giggles from our family.  Only she can make fun of another one of our family members...when other people do it, I ironically get angry.  We laugh together about things that others don't understand and that's my favorite part.  I feel like she has to love me unconditionally since I am her sister and I have to protect her since I am her big sister. 
She uses terms like "sissy" when referring to Lucy (which I find endearing) and gives the drink Sprite two syllable's instead of one.  When she comes around, I don't feel like I have to entertain her.  It's a relaxed relationship that developed before she had a chance to say no.  She has known me all of her life. 

Lori-The friend turned sister.  Just to clarify, I was friends with her before she started dating Brad.  Lori is a dedicated friend and family member.  She embraces family and what it means to be a sister and auntie.  Lori is fun.  She has a lot of energy and we both enjoy a lot of the same things.  The love Auntie Lolo shows my kids is incredible.  I see her love for myself and Justin through that.  I believe that she loves my kids almost as much as I do, she is always making them feel special.  We both desire to see each other, pray together, and do life.  I know that Lori would drop whatever she had going on if I needed her.  She is dependable, opinionated, and caring.
 
Jen-Where do I start with Jen??  Trustworthy and reliable.  Jen has one of the most beautiful hearts I have ever known.  She welcomed me with open arms into youth ministry before anyone else in the church gave me a second glance.  She saw something inside of me that I don't think I saw in myself.  Jen has a bold personality that people are drawn and attracted to.  Jen is creative and compassionate.  Jen and I both have a heart for justice.  I can call Jen and vent about anything and she will give a sympathetic ear.  I can always count on JenJen. 

I want lifelong friends. 
I want friends who are dependable.
I want friends who love me despite my many faults.
I want friends that love hard.
I want friends that I can pray with and that believe that our God is big.
I want friends that make me laugh until I pee.
I want friends that care about my day/week.

I want to be that friend

I have those friends.

Thank God for spiritual friendships.  Thank God for community and love.  Thank God that my personality is not too strange or big for everyone. 
I may not be your cup of tea, I may be to rough around the edges, my past may be too colorful,  too kept to myself, too much of a homebody...that's okay. 

I am always open to friendships but these three have stood the test of time, my time.  They have either always been there and/or have been there while I cried in their arms.
Thank you for being my safe place. 

It's time to be that friend.