M is for Moving

Oh Brother!  Two days ago I'm saying how proud I am of myself for sticking to the A to Z Challenge and yesterday I clean forgot about it.  In my defense, I hurt my back and took muscle relaxers as soon as I got home from working at our gun club all day so I deserve a pass.

So...Moving.  As I mentioned under "L is for Leaving", my best friend is moving to Florida.  Calvin moved there back in November and we knew it was just a matter of time until she left but I just kept thinking that maybe Calvin wouldn't like his new job and would come back.  That hasn't worked out for me.

I don't think she's dying to go really.  Of course, she misses her husband and when she moves there she'll be closer to one of her sisters, but her parents live near here and so do Calvin's.  I love her like the sister I never had.  I'm closer to her than anyone other than my husband.  I can tell her anything and I often tell her more than I should.  Much like my brother, she can make me laugh with just a look.

When we first met I really wanted her and Calvin to like me and I didn't think that they did.  She recalls it differently.  She says we were friends right from the start.  In the first few years, we didn't hang out regularly.  One day I asked her to lunch and then it seems like we were always together.  I worried that I took her away from her other friends and she says they were never as close as we.  I always thought she had the same relationship with me that she had with my husband's ex-wife.  She says no.  They only did things together if Brown eyed Man and Calvin were together.  I talk to her at least once a week if for no other reason than to make sure I talked with her that week.

Our kids call her Aunt Berniece and she is their "Aunt".  Once, many years ago, we were related by marriage.  My husband's aunt was married to her husband's cousin's nephew (seriously).  We're trying to make our daughter marry her nephew so we can be related again.  They've never met yet so we have a long row to hoe on that one.

She is the nicest person you will ever meet.  She is always looking for the good in people.  She always tries to see the bright side of a situation.  I feel like there is no bright side to this situation.  Except that we'll get to visit Florida.  I've been there though.  I'd rather visit Turner, Oregon where they live now.

June 15th is the target date.  I've offered to drive with her to FL but I think Calvin will come back and go with her.  So, I'll just stay here and feel like someone cut my arm off.

Have you ever had a friend like this?  Did he or she leave?  How did you maintain your relationship? 

j