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All I really want is girls� My apartment was a whirlwind of activity last week, filled with girls for my clothes exchange/Johnny Dep girl's night. For a clothes exchange, firstly everyone goes through their closet and selects all of their clothes that don't fit/don't get worn/have been languishing in the back of the closet for ages (don't forget items like shoes, belts, jackets, purses, pajamas). Some of the girls also bring clothes from their parents and significant others, generally anything that they have and don't use that someone else might. They then bring their bags of clothes over and each person goes through their bag, holding up their clothes and giving a brief description and sizing. If anyone wants to try it on, they take it for their pile. After everyone has gone through their bags and tried on and selected their new clothes, the remainder are bagged and given to charity. Lately we�ve been running a baby clothes exchange too. This is a good chance to clean out closets, get a new outfit, do some good for someone in need and just hang out with the girls.It was an unusual mix but a fun crowd: Africa, Bbb, Halo, Pug, Smacked, Wallaby and Rider. We had two babies there for part of the evening: 10-month-old Ethan motored around, grinning at the ladies, while Ceili, a little girl now rather than a baby, talked coherently with us while trying vainly to tornado my apartment. Ethan's papa picked him up after about an hour and Bear took Ceili out to the farm, giving both Wallaby and Rider a much-needed break. Looking around the room during the exchange I realized how lucky I am to have such beautiful friends. None of them are the stereotypical North American beauties, none will be models, but each and every one of them is gorgeous to me. I always feel like such a pale shadow next to my striking friends. Africa is the closest to the North American image of beauty � her nickname of Mensa Supermodel isn�t far off - but it�s her joy in life that I find the most attractive. She�s always dashing off somewhere, to Africa, to the North, to med school, and she throws herself into everything each adventure with her whole heart. Halo glows like the sun with an inner luminescence, she radiates caring and an innocent soul. Highlighted ringlets brush her bronzed shoulders as she leans down to play with Ceili. Bbb's athletic build, flaming curls and bouncing enthusiasm light up the room as she shows off her accomplishment - finding the perfect fabric for Africa�s bridesmaid dresses. Tall and beautifully proportioned, Smacked is curled up in the corner of the futon intent on her knitting, her rich copper ponytail resting over one shoulder. I am in awe of her knowledge and intelligence, loyalty and directness. The two mothers are engrossed in animal conversations to one side, revealing something of their own natures through their connection with nature: they are caring and empathetic, grounded, steady and stable, reliable in every way. Rider leans forward intent on the conversation and every motion hints at strong muscles, and powerful movement. She suddenly smiles, revealing gorgeous cheekbones much like Bear's. Wallaby's changeable eyes illuminate her entire face every time she glances at her little boy. Pug's glossy mahogany hair fall in waves down her back and forward in tendrils to frame the most attractive face I know. People feel instantly comfortable around her, she�s funny and friendly and fun. Yes, you read that right: Pug was there. She just finished her degree and is determined to rejoin the world of the living. I try not to think about how much I miss her, how much it bothers me that I never see her. When I do see her it just reinforces how much is missing from my life. We stayed up until 4 am talking about everything we had missed. I love that even though we don't talk very often our conversations rarely stay at a superficial level. We delve immediately into the important things: how she's feeling about her super-athletic friend who was just paralyzed in a skiing accident, the shape of her friendships with her other bridesmaids, her fianc�e, Bear's plans and how I felt about them. It was so fantastic to make plans with her, for her wedding, for camping, for the summer. The words flowed easily with no gaps or hesitations, no false sympathy or wavering attention, just comfortable truth and instant understanding. This is what has been missing for me: a real best friend. With Pug I don�t have to explain every little detail so that she really understands what I�m getting at. With her I feel like words have more meaning than they do with most of my friends. Talking to her is virtually effortless and I never feel like I have to edit my questions. Part of what makes us work together so well is that we are both used to having best friends who are boys, so we are used to very straightforward communication, but still felt like there was something missing from those friendships that is found in a relationship with a girlfriend. Not that the relationships with men aren�t complete, but that our own lives aren�t complete without a girlfriend to share with. And that�s what best friend means, really. Not necessarily the one that you spend the most time with, but the one that you have the most instantaneous and easy match with, where your friendship fits seamlessly, effortlessly together. I followed up the girls night with a night spent hanging out with Chnanners, Kristus� birthday at the 0live Garden and dancing at the Druid, then a movie last night with Bbb and Africa. If you have not seen it yet, run to the theatre to watch �Connie and Carla�. I knew nothing about it going in but I laughed myself silly. I WILL buy this movie. I may see it twice. Hysterical! I will very likely be quoting it so be forewarned! 2004-04-21 || 11:37 a.m. |
