FRIENDS that LAST

My first week of 6th grade, I met this girl with this name I had never ever heard of. She looked like she was sizing me up, while a mutual friend introduced us. We've been friends ever since. It was like we were joined at the hip. We were very different, but even at a young age, had a similar mindset with similar goals. We both wanted an education and success, regardless of our backgrounds and situations we were born into. People who knew her knew me.

High school came around and we met a swan. This young lady was the goofiest of both of us and we became a trio of friendship. (She's still the goofy)! Ya know, sometimes adding one more to the group doesn't always work. It didn't for me at first, but today I know the importance of sticking with it aka patience. With time, we all grew, changed and became best friends. We stayed friends because we had similar goals we were aiming for. We're all really good bffs today as adults. That's almost half of our lives. I think that-there is proof that young black women can maintain healthy relationships with each other. Ka-Pow! to the stereotypes amongst us.

It's so important to build history in your friendships. How can you carve out a life of healthy relationships if you don't have history with people that (started from the bottom now we here - lol) remind you of where you've been and where your going. The book of Proverbs in the bible gives wisdom about many things, as King Solomon is the book's author, and he writes about friendship.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the hearts, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (27:9)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (27:17)

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (18:24)

I remember as we all were coming into our womanhood, we went out to dinner at a steakhouse. The service and food was terrible, but we were out to have a good time. I remember laughing at the waiter a lot because of his outfit. Everything in the restuarant was so western; big slabs of wood for tables; cowboys boots and hats on the waiters; and a "boring atmosphere". We were in funny conversation of course and I was drinking and talking. Someone told a joke about our waiter and my body errupted in laughter uncontrollably; my water flew from my mouth into my friends faces. They look disgusted, but not mad. I couldn't believe I'd done that to them. I was so embarrassed and the worst part was I couldn't stop laughing. As I was trying hard to calm down I kept apologizing. I thought they were so mad at me, but hiding it, as us girls tend to do. I kept apologizing and laughing and they took it well. They wiped themselves off and kept the night going.

I remember leaving thinking, "I have some really good friends. Now that I've practically slobbered all over them, I have no choice but to keep them around and be a good friend right back." We all truly love each other. I have no doubt that no matter where life takes all of us, we'll still be friends. We'll still have memories. We'll still make history. Together.

+Lee Hurn

Have a Happy New Year!!! ~Lemonade Curl~

That FRIEND that makes you feel like a KID again!

You know how you do something that you don't want anybody else to see, so you do it quick and then you do a quick 360 with your eyes to see who’s watching? I know you've done it too... Well, I used to be like that with my personality. I was afraid to be the real me around people. I cared so heavily about what other people thought of me; not because I wanted to impress them, but because I literally cared what people would say and think about me.

I wasn't comfortable with my own AWESOMENESS yet. I just wanted to fit in and be cool. I even succeeded at being “cool with everyone” for a long time. Well that was until I got tired. I got tired of walking on egg shells around people and denying who Christ made me to be. It's a tedious habit that truly frustrates the mind and heart. I eventually learned how to be free, love my characteristics and take them for what they were. It was a slow process and required me to expose myself and put myself out there for everyone to take a gander. I got my feelings hurt a lot along the way, but I have no regrets. I guess by now you can tell how sensitive I was too. (lol : P)

So "T" as I like to call her, was a weird girl who stepped into my life. Weird because I couldn't put my finger on her -- or categorize her personality. She was so boisterous cool, smart, funny and confident, what I believe I saw in myself. Yet, she wasn't afraid to be herself in front of anyone. Befriending T has made me a kid again. Finding someone who can balance fun like "amusement park-rollercoaster-ride-fun" with seriousness is a must have in life! There's never a dull moment with us. Even in our "deep" conversations we have to find the stupidest joke to end on.

The world literally revolves around us because we create that environment together. I remember us meeting up at 11:30 pm or midnight and traveling on the creepiest subway in Chicago because she couldn't stop feening for the value menu at Wendy's. We had the craziest time, laughing at the character of people coming in and the disgruntled workers. We were freezing in that little shack of a place just to eat an amazing baked potato, no denying that, and spicy chicken sandwiches. We sang 90's hits aloud as we walked through the streets and laughed and acted out scenes from "Norbit" and "The Little Rascals". People looked at us strangely (jealous). Anywhere was a good time.

Friends that allow you to be free without needing to guess what they're thinking about you or worry about them "laying your business bare in the streets" - stole that from "Save the Last Dance" (Kerri Washington's line - lol) are good relationships to have. Find somebody that helps keep the kid in your alive, rollercoaster ride-style. Life's too short to be an adult always! lol

Us eating good at Chicago's Batter & Berries Restaurant. Amazing "moaning-good" food!

Enjoy your week!

~Lemonade Curl~ 

Introduction

Oh Gosh,

I finally have a blog that I can easily start and I absolutely love...ALREADY! Watch out world, I've arrived. So my history, friends, family, personality test results and actual personality all indicate that I love people. I love people and building great relationships. In this blog I plan to discuss some relationships that are absolutely crucial to my life.

Many people note and verbalize to me how friendly I am in nature and I notice sometimes how the right people gravitate to me and me to them. I believe I've created a wonderful group of people in my life and in this blog I would love to share them with you.

We should all have people in our lives that make each day worth living just a little bit more than the last. The people I share here, I believe we all have them or can find them and add them to our lives. It's something about how the right person in your life can make YOU better.

OK, I'm such a wordy person and my challenge to myself in this blog is not to be. So without further ado let's get this slide show rolling...

*^Lemonade Curl^*

P.S. I know you shouldn't create a post to introduce your blog to people, but it really is for me and my brain : P