This week, I had the opportunity to connect with a friend and her family visiting from Canada. We did have a chance to connect while I was visiting in June, but it’s always lovely to spend time with friends.
We met up with them and a couple who also live in Jamaica. We were having a great time with engaging conversation, when I asked her how long we’ve known each other. Her answer? 36 years! 🤯
It’s wild to think about all the changes that have happened in each of our lives, and how we managed to maintain a friendship for that long.
We’ve known each other through high school, post-secondary, relationships, and marriage. I was one of the bridesmaids in her wedding, and she hosted my bridal shower and came to Jamaica for our wedding.
While we’ve known each other for a long time, I wouldn’t say the key to our friendship is constant communication. We can go months without speaking to one another, and when we do talk, we pick up where we left off.
There’s never any guilt about why it’s taken so long to call, or any of that foolishness. We’re aware that we have lives outside of our friendship, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to catch up on life and reconnect.
I have a few friends that I’ve known for over twenty years, one of them I’ve known for the same 36 years. It’s pretty cool to see how we’ve all grown and changed from the people we were when we first met. Some things remain the same, but others have grown and evolved, and it’s a beautiful thing.
I recall a conversation with a friend I’ve known for almost 25 years, where we laughed about how we never would have guessed life would take us where we ended up. When I look back, I think that I’m in a better place than I thought I would be.
With years comes maturity and shifts in mindset. I never would have thought 20 years ago that I’d be happy living a simplified life in Jamaica, but here I am, and I don’t regret any of it! 🩵