Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it only by this meeting that a new world is born – Anaïs Nin
Last night I had a FaceTime catch up with Erica.
Erica is a long time friend – going all the way back to our mothers being in nursing college together. As children we grew up together at the family gatherings of the nurses and miners who had immigrated to Canada. We became closer friends in our high school years – attending Korean youth YMCA dances and going to each others’ churches. As I write this, I can still see her in her super cool ’80s outfit as we danced to New Order’s “Blue Monday”.
I was so impressed with her sales ability during high school when she sold Cutco knives and made enough money for university. My brother still has some of those knives in his home.
Our university years took us to different schools and different cities. While we didn’t exactly grow apart, we were having our own individual experiences and expanding our social networks. Still, she was always game to my crazy ideas – like driving to Buffalo for ladies’ night at the nightclubs.
She was my maid of honor at my first wedding, and I was the MC at her wedding reception.
Then our lives went in different directions for the next few decades. She raised 2 children while working full time and living outside of Toronto. I left my marriage, met MAO and built a business and a life with him.
A lack of communication over a misunderstanding caused a separation that lasted far too long. I don’t recall exactly how we broke through that silence. I am so grateful that we did.
In 2019, MAO and I were in our nomad days, living in St John’s, Newfoundland and briefly in Toronto. Erica and I got together for a drink that lasted hours longer than I expected. From that moment, we have stayed in touch when we can.
Today, I am grateful for my longtime friendship with Erica, for the laughs we share about our aging aches and pains, and for the silly texts we can send one another.
