Thursday, May 14, 2009

Hello, Old Friends

I think one of the best things about old friends is the fact that they're pretty much immune to anything ridiculous that you might do. If they've been around for a long time, it's likely that they've seen you at your best and your worst, at high points and low points, in sickness and in health, in beautiful and in ugly. After so many years, it would be difficult for you to really repel them with a bad outfit, clownish make-up, or scary hairstyle.

In light of that, I present to you a tribute to old friends. In pictures. Brace yourself - it ain't pretty.

This is a picture of me, my friends Jonel and Lisha, and my cousin's baby. It was taken during the "Great Road Trip of Senior Year" over spring break. Jonel and I were obviously embracing the whole 80's hair thing. If only you could see my outfit in its entirety. Oh, wait - you can!

In the name of all that is holy, why didn't someone tell me I looked like this? Obviously I didn't own a mirror at the time. High-waisted was never a good look for me. And my homemade, red and white checkered, gapping in all the wrong places, snaps-instead-of-buttons shirt? How was it that I had any friends at all? Really.

The one wedding that Jonel and I were in together. Lovely, weren't we? Sometime I'll have to post the whole story about these dresses. I'd tell it now, but it involves some things I'm not sure I am willing to talk about on my blog. Like boobs. And liquor. Lots and lots of liquor. Jonel, I love you even more because we have shared such priceless experiences.


These were some of my dorm-mates. We were having a party - the theme was something to do with a saloon - and some of the more artistically talented gals had drawn an old-time western bar on paper we tacked up to the wall. It was my bright idea to have some of them lean on the pretend bar. Doesn't it look authentic? My beloved roommate is the one on the left, but boy, do I wish I could remember the name of the one on the right. She might have been an extra in Olivia Newton John's 'Let's Get Physical' video.


Judy and I, sitting on my bed in our dorm room - which we shared for FOUR YEARS. I don't know anyone else who lived with their original roommate the whole 4 years of school. The fact that we are still friends today is a miracle, as far as I'm concerned, especially since we only met the day we moved into the dorm. There's so much to talk about in this picture I hardly know where to start. See the fab afghan my mother made? And my knitting was behind me, right next to a - ugh, I don't know if I can even say it - stuffed unicorn. And, heaven help me, there are more stuffed animals (the panda was hers, the polar bear mine). And why does she look so pretty, while I look like I'd been on a four day bender? Obviously I hadn't learned about the importance of mousse and mascara.

These two girls (and yes, I still think of us as girls) are so precious to me. Some of my happiest moments were spent with one or both of them, and I really believe we will never run out of things to say to each other. I laugh more with them than I do with anyone else in my life, and, especially now, that's exactly what I need.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

So very sweet! How blessed you are to have these girls in your life!
~AM

Unknown said...

hey. the 70s are the new 90s

and I like the pumpkin calendar in the last photo

and the hair!

and I went to stay with my oldest at UMO during my April vacation one year (79? 80?) and I learned more in that week than the previous 10 years and since

I can even sing the Maine Stein Song

..for some reason in Spanish

Elenka said...

What great memories! Finding a good friend isn't easy, it's hard work to keep them. You are lucky.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Wow, you were pretty.

Hallie

Dave King said...

I absolutely endorse what you say about old friends, and I think you put your finger on a major factor when you said you still think of them - and you - as girls. Old friends have that effect, I think. You are with them as you always were.

Evansmom said...

We have to stay friends... the blackmail material we have on each other is endless.

I can't imagine my life without you - seriously. Thru thick and thin (and fat!), thru good times and bad, thru laughter and tears, you have been there for me. Since you shared those embarrassing photos of me, I am going to share a story about you. In all of our many years of friendship, the biggest sign of your incredible heart is that your visited me in the hospital after I had my son. On the surface, that might not seem like much - I remember visiting you when you had Brandon. However, you had had a miscarriage only two or three days earlier so I didn't expect you to drive the 2 1/2 hours to come see me. I knew the emotional and physical pain that you were in and I would have totally understand. However, I looked up and there you were, Exhausted but wanting to share in my joy. That is a true friend. Love you.

Alice said...

Stuffed unicorn!?!?! That cracked me up for some reason....love the walk down memory lane!

for a different kind of girl said...

That is amazing you're still friends with your college roommate. The first moment my very first roommate rounded the corner and entered our dorm room our freshmen year, I knew without a shadow of a doubt we'd not be besties!

Caution/Lisa said...

You must be a very lovely person. I am envious of your ability to maintain those friendships.

And the girl with the tube socks? Pretty sure that her name was Caution Flag.

Evansmom said...

ME - you forget there were 2 other weddings that we were in together. I wouldn't have considered getting married without you by my side! :)
You got me thru the dark days of the broken heart and engagement - you had to be there during the bright days too!

MaBunny said...

Love those pics Mary Ellen! Especially loving the one with girl in the tube socks that go almost to her knees!

Kim said...

Thank goodness tube socks are no longer in - I don't know what I would do if I was expected to sport those these days!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

and do tell me just what is wrong with stuffed unicorns??? mine is sitting on top of this monitor just crying....
love the pics by the way I have some horrid ones ... hell we all do LOL

Unknown said...

that is so cool you are still close. I left my high school an college photo albums in storage in WV so I don't get to relive the bad old fashion days.

Laura Marchant said...

Oh my gosh! I love this post with the pictures. Awesome.

c3 said...

Love this post: the pictures and the memories.

Personally, my best friends aren't immune to the ridiculous -- they are part of it! It looks like yours are, too!

Barb Matijevich said...

You look so happy in those pictures. That's what *I* see.

claudia said...

How sweet you all were. (are!) Love the walk down memory lane with you and your pals! I didn't go to college, so don't have old roomies to talk about the past with, but I do have some dear old friends made along the way and one very special g/f fromhigh school1

Mrs4444 said...

I definitely remember that era... Glad you still are tight with the girls...

Cupcake Blonde said...

Good friends are great to home. But old friends are priceless. :)

Tonjia said...

awesome topic! I love the pics, and I am so happy that you are in contact with your friends still.

I have lost contact with mine, but am trying to find them on facebook.

Abby Reed said...

You look totally adorable in that bright pink bridesmaid dress! Yes, the dress is... um, interesting... but you look so cute!!!!!!!