What BFF Means to Me

Most people believe that BFF is an acronym for Best Friends Forever, but I have a hard time with that. I truly believe that friends come into your life for a reason. Some just pass through, some stay for a brief moment and others hang out for much longer. To me, if you are truly lucky enough to find a friend who does stick around forever, that's called a blessing. If you are lucky to have a blessing that big, then BFF doesn't stand for Best Friends Forever - rather Blessings From a Friend.

The biggest blessings that a friend can give you is unconditional support, a listening ear and honesty. Sometimes it take a long time to realize that those qualities are detrimental to a friendship. My daughter is nine and she's dealing with fourth grade drama on a daily basis. One day this girl doesn't like that girl and the next day that girl isn't invited to the other girls slumber party....and it just doesn't end. Most of us go through the same thing as we grow up, it's part of our journey - It shapes who we are.

For me, it's hard to explain to my daughter about friends and what they should be because it took me until my 30's to find my BFF. I had this girl who used to only call me when she didn't have a date or anything else to do and that friend who had a serious case of the "me" disease and just wanted someone to listen to her!

My BFF came when I wasn't looking. My family and I had just moved into our very first house and didn't know anyone. Eventually we ventured out and found our neighbors. Our neighbors are the type who come outside on a warm summer night and play & talk until the street lights come on. Everyone watches out for each other and they've all pretty much become our second family. But there is one person among the group who remains my biggest blessing.

It took a little while for us to really get to know each other, to learn to communicate with one another and to find our common threads, but once we found our way to each other, there was no doubt in my mind that she really was my BFF. She became my unconditional support, listening to everything I said, and she was honest in her feedback. She gave and continues to give of herself as a blessing every day, as do I to her.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm also married to my best friend (my husband) who also offers me support, a listening ear and honesty, but every woman should have another BFF, outside of the family. I truly believe that because of Brandy, I'm a better wife and mother. I'm a better employee and an even better friend. She's my sounding board, my biggest cheerleader and the woman has everything and is willing to share. God only knows when you need to borrow a waffle maker!

And so now, I feel that I am better equipped to explain to my daughter what it means to have a true friend and I am that much more thankful to my BFF Brandy for teaching me how.