This girl & I have been best friends for 43 years.
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| Stacey & Gwen |
During our senior year I dated the love of my life, Danny. Well when Danny & I went on dates...guess who went with us??? You bet! I'm telling you we were inseparable! Later on I said I bet the guys thought Danny was one lucky guy :)
After we graduated high school on May 7, 1982, Danny & I were married on May 14, 1982. Gwen was my only bridesmaid. She & I both enrolled at Twin Lakes Vo-Tech School for Business. And then she met Joe, Danny's brother. They fell in love & married March 17, 1983. Yes I was her bridesmaid. We were then sisters-in-law!
She became pregnant first & then I followed three months later.
Danny & Joe were both in the Army Reserve & would be gone sometimes overnight. Guess who stayed all night with each other while they were gone??? You guessed it! We giggled & laughed all night.
She had Jessica & 3 months later I had Mary Beth. Our daughters were cousins. We were overjoyed. Then more beautiful children came...Mandy, Garrett, Abby & Taylor. We were blessed beyond measure! 6 children!!! What a mighty God we serve.
Through the years times got tough with the family feuding...we stayed strong through it all. But then there came a day when it became too much. We didn't speak to each other for over seven long years.
I struggled missing my friend. I recalled so many good times. There were plenty of rough & tough times, too. But we knew each other inside & out. There were so many things I wanted to share with her...our children, our grandchildren & things only she would understand.
A few months ago after hearing the sermon God put in our pastor's heart, I was deeply convicted to hear from my friend. As soon as church was over I texted her. She replied who is this? I said I use to be your best friend...I asked her to forgive me & that I loved her. She replied she forgave me & to forgive her & that she loved me, too. I was elated!
Last week I was visiting my sister Cheri & she told of how she had went to her dear childhood & life long friend Lolita's husband's visitation. And of how she told his daughter about dear friends, cherishing their relationships & nurturing them. I was overwhelmed with how I HAD to see my friend & reunite with her. And on Sunday our pastor preached about what just what I needed to hear.
I called her yesterday.
We had lunch today.
We ordered our food at 12:03 pm & we stood up from our table at 4:03 pm. Don't know when I have been so happy! I have my friend back!! God is good! Amen!!
We prayed together before & after our visit. My friend is a prayer warrior. I am so proud of her. She is a very mature, knowledgeable, Godly woman. And of course she is still beautiful.
It is sad that we let so much time go without speaking, but in God's timing & will this is when it was suppose to happen.
We picked up right where we left off, just like best friends do. She said the most beautiful & eloquent prayer today. She inspires me.
We are putting the family situation in God's hands & are praying that His will be done.
And as we parted, which was very hard for me because we could have talked much longer, we hugged & told each other I LOVE YOU several times. My heart is overjoyed.
Stacey & Gwen are together again. Thank you Jesus.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
