ALONG COMES MARY

Like I have shared on the blog before, I am very proud at my somewhat un-orthodox ways I have met some of the dearest people in my life, through the years….

This past weekend, we headed up to Sacramento to my friend, Helen’s, wedding. I was so thrilled back when she told me she wanted me to be there & even more excited that I was able to go. The next day, I was also able to introduce Michael to another great friend, Ariel, over dinner.

Growing up, I lived a pretty dull, isolated life. I kept myself occupied by making friends in faraway places through pen palling & snail mail (remember those days!?) & when I got myself a laptop, I discovered the world of MySpace, where I wasted no time in making a tribute page for one of my favorite musicians, Kate Bush, where I met & connected with Helen, as well as countless other friends I still hold quite dear today; like Alex, whom I got to take with me on a mini road trip to the Tori Amos show in San Diego this past Summer, Joel, who stayed over at my house post Tori gig in 2011 & Michelle, whom I was able to meet with her family at Disneyland a few years back.

As Helen’s bridal party walked down the aisle to Tori’s song, Jackie’s Strength, & then the bride herself to Winter, one of Tori’s most profound songs, I struggled to hold back my tears. I have known Helen since 2007, I have shared secrets with her, times of struggle, dating horror stories & even had the privilege of accompanying her & Evan, her little boy, on his first trip to Disneyland. These are memories that truly have made my life & I will always hold in my heart, just like her wedding day to her groom, Jhason.

Ariel I have known for over 15 years, & while this was just our 4th time meeting face to face, she is someone else I will always count among my closest friends! We can not talk, lose touch, or not see each other much, yet we still pick right back up where we left off. I know I will always have “Oreo” (Her school nick name growing up) on my side, & we’ll always be close. Growing up, if you had told me we’d still be in-touch, & I would now be having dinner with her along with Mike, I would have thought, only in a perfect world. Same for all my MySpace friends.

Well, my dear ones, perhaps this all indicates that this IS a somewhat perfect world, in my very own unique way. Because I felt pretty damn lucky to be with these friends over the weekend. xoxo