A Homage to my Bestie
I first met my Bestie in the middle of the 90’s. We were in our early twenties when we were footloose and fancy free. We bonded over a complicated computer programme called NOSS and our ambivalence to the firm we were both working for. We laughed over the boys we were dating and we cried when our love lives fell apart. She was the first friend that I told my deepest secrets to and the first friend I ever went on a ‘I’ve split up with my boyfriend road-trip’ and that was epic for someone like me, who hadn’t ever experienced a friendship like that.
My Bestie and I have been pals for almost 30 years. We have spanned three decades of life together. She was the bridesmaid at my wedding – and darling I’m so sorry I put you in that floral ‘curtain’ of a bridesmaid dress when you are the ‘Queen of Victorian Goth’. Bestie put up with the drunken wedding guest who tried to pick her up and the Bride who cried when her shoes were lost. She supported me over every detail of the wedding, and pretended enthusiasm when I likely bored her to death.
We have travelled the road of marriage and motherhood together. Through the dark days of my post-natal depression and the utter confusion of motherhood. You helped me to navigate the ‘war zone’ years of being a mother to an ASD child, and you helped me put ‘my hard hat on’ when I needed to be a Warrior Woman looking after her cub. And through all that, you have made me laugh with your wonderful spontaneity and your ability to chuck yoghurt pots on the back seat. I admire your freedom of expression, and you admire my organisation abilities. Together we are a total package, and a great team.
When I needed my Bestie, she was there. She took a day off work and came to London to walk round for hours and hours, taking my mind off my mother’s terrifying surgery. I will never forget your undivided support that day, and all those days after when Mum was slowly dying. 10 pm every night, for many weeks, my Bestie was on the end of the phone ready to chat with me about the awfulness of dying and also lighting my mind with her loving presence.
And her spontaneity is so brilliant. She texted me one Weds and said ‘keep Saturday free please’ and on Friday told me we had tickets to see Take That at Wembley. The most amazing concert with the most amazing friend. I remember us getting to the top of that escalator and looing out on to Wembley arena and looking at each other and saying ‘omg this view is amazing’. I was so excited and so elated to be there with you, and I shall remember that moment and that feeling forever.
Today it is my Bestie’s birthday. We have shared three decades of birthdays together. And yes we may have changed, and the presents have changed, and the people in our lives may have changed, and yet we are still us. This is my homage to my Bestie, her name is Liz and I am very proud to say she is my Soul Sister, and my lovely Friend even if she has some very loud electric blue trousers which she swears she’s not going to throw out.
Happy Birthday Darling Girl xx