My grown-up friend

Isn't it weird making friends with someone as an adult? There is an awkward ritual we go through - trying to get to know someone, but not trying too hard that you seem desperate and turn them off. It is so similar to a dating relationship - trying to figure out if they like you as much as you like them, asking them over for dinner or a night out, etc.

I have a large group of great friends from high school. Over the years our lives have gone in different directions and most of our lives don't even resemble one anothers now. That's not to say that I don't treasure their friendships. It is just that when you have children, it is really nice to have friends who are in the same stage of life that you are.

I've always wanted only one or two really good friends. My husband is the closest person to me and my sister has always been my best bud. But technically, they're not "friends". In fact, I'm not sure I've ever had a girlfriend that I felt I was all that close with. In the last year or so I have become very close with my neighbor. I really feel like she likes me as much as I like her. We have very similar personalities. She laughs really easily and is fun to sit around and talk with. She is sincere and considerate. She is quite a few years younger than I am but, thankfully, that doesn't seem to matter to her. I finally met someone who was becoming the close friend that I was looking for.

Last month, her husband got news he is being transferred. They will be moving across the country in three weeks. I am so sad. I will miss her terribly. I know there is e-mail, cell phones, even video conferencing, but still, it will never be the same as it is now. I will miss out on seeing her two little girls go from babies to toddlers and then to young girls. I will miss them learn to walk and talk and start school. Even more, I will miss the day-to-day events in our lives that truly connect us as friends.

Gotta go now - can't see through my tears.