The summer I turned six years old, our family moved from Ohio to Illinois. On move-in day, I stood in the front yard, watching in a bit of a daze while the movers carried piece after piece of furniture off a huge truck and in through the front door of our new house. My older brother had already found a friend – the big empty cardboard boxes had attracted a curious boy or two from down the street and along with my brother, they were “sledding” down the slight hill in the front yard.
I was a girl who was shy under normal circumstances, but today, in a new neighborhood and a new house where I didn’t know a soul outside my family, it would’ve taken something extra special to push me out of my shell. So, there I stood underneath a tree, out of the way, hidden by branches, observing the activity around me.
My mother came outside and said, “Did you notice that little girl across the street?”
My head twitched in the direction she pointed. No, I hadn’t noticed her, but there she was, as my mother said. She was blonde, just like me, and about my height.
“Why don’t you go over there?”
My eyes popped open wide, and a rush of anxiety dove down my esophagus. “What would I say?” I asked, either to myself or out loud to my mom. Either way, my mom knew what I was like, so she probably read my expression even if she hadn’t heard the words.
“Tell her your name and ask her if she wants to play.” My stare across the street continued, unabated, so my mom gave my shoulder a little nudge. “Go on. She’s going to be your neighbor. Maybe she can be your best friend.”
I took a deep breath, convinced my legs to move and walked across the street. As I approached, I saw that she was eyeing me up just as I’d been doing to her. I stopped in front of her. “Hi.” The syllable broke through the silence between us.
“Hi,” she said, a pink sheen blushing her cheeks.
We exchanged names, and then, encouraged by my mom’s suggestion that she could be my best friend, I said, “Do you want to play Barbies?”
She immediately responded with, “I don’t care,” which was sort of the shy way of saying, “Sure.”
From that moment on, we were inseparable. I became a regular installment at her house, and she at mine. We
played all summer long, and when first grade rolled around, and we went to different schools (she private, me public), we caught up with each other after school and on weekends. And yes, as my mom predicted, we became best friends. We were as close as sisters, especially for two girls who didn’t have any sisters.
We made each other better. We weren’t shy when we were together. We “got” each other and laughed constantly. We enticed each other to do things maybe we wouldn’t have done alone. And we introduced the other to our “outside friends” – the ones we made at school, or eventually, at work and at college.
We shared our hopes, our dreams, our goals, our problems. And we always supported the other. Unfortunately, since the age of twenty-two or so, we never again lived in the same state. Our jobs and marriages and families took us far apart from each other. But … when we do see each other, it doesn’t take much time to be back in the swing. We share stories, laughs, we go places, we have fun. She’s still my best friend even though we don’t see each other all that much.
Friendships like that are a gift from God. I truly pray that everyone gets to experience a special friend at least once in their life. I just got lucky that I met mine when I was six.
What about best friends in fiction? In my book Seized, Gloria has a best friend, Renee who’s been helping her through her empty nest angst. In this scene, Gloria unthinkingly blows off an outing with Renee, but as besties do, Renee knows it’s nothing personal and just helps her get ready anyway. Here’s an excerpt from the opening:
Gloria Lockwood was on her hands and knees, head ducked into the empty cabinet under the kitchen sink, mountains of cleaning supplies surrounding her on the floor. She finished the floor of the cabinet and backed carefully out without banging her head. She made her way past creaky knees to her feet and rinsed out her cloth in the sink. After shaking out her complaining legs, she assumed the position and climbed back under for a rinse.
It was then that she heard her cell phone ring. She groaned and rolled her eyes.
She finished up her rinsing, then began wiping it dry, trying to manage the seed of worry that she’d ignored a phone call. What if it was Brent? What if he was in a bind and needed her help?
She maneuvered out of the cabinet, and body aching, laid back on the old tile floor. She just needed a moment to rest. To breathe. She wasn’t accustomed to heavy manual labor. Just look at this place. Housework had never been a priority to her, but definitely not when she was raising her sister’s two sons.
The doorbell rang. Gloria huffed in frustration. Rest time over. She got to her feet and headed for the front door, wiping a strand of hair out of her face with a hand still wet from her chore. She pulled it open.
Her best friend Renee stood on the step, looking un-sweaty, un-tired and cutely dressed in tan capris, a flowing flowered top, sandals and pink polished nails. Not to mention, hair and makeup. After a pause while Renee studied her up and down, she said, “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“Ummm,” said Gloria while her mind ran.
Renee pushed past her into the bungalow. Like a bloodhound, she headed straight for the kitchen. “I knew it.” She pointed at all the items that Gloria’d pulled out. “I knew I should’ve sent you a reminder this morning.”
“Oh! Is that tonight?” Gloria twirled in a circle, till she faced her Beaches calendar hanging from a nail on a cabinet. She looked at it, pointed at the box designating today. “No, see? Not today.”
Renee sported an amused grin and an eyeroll, stepped over and flipped the calendar from April to May.
Now she saw it. The seventh of May, not April, had a notation: Renee. 6:30. Kitchen Capers.
“Oh! My gosh, what is wrong with me?”
“It’s all right …,” Renee said.
Gloria interrupted. “I was really looking forward to it.”
“I know you were, sweetie. It’s not too late.” She put a hand on each of Gloria’s shoulders and guided her to her bedroom. “Just a quick outfit change, brush through the hair and maybe a swipe of foundation and powder, and we’ll be all set.”
Gloria stared wide-eyed into her mirror and sighed. “Are you sure we have the time?”
“Absolutely. You work on that, and I’ll call Elena at Kitchen Capers. Give her a heads up we might be a smidge late. She’ll wait for us.”
“I’m sorry.” Gloria dragged her attention from the mirror and focused on her best friend’s eyes.
“Not a problem.” Renee squeezed her arm and pulled her in, so their foreheads rested on each other. “It’s gonna be fun.”
And off she went. Gloria turned back to her task at hand, making herself presentable for a social evening out with her bestie.
I’ll be giving away a copy of Seized to one random commenter in whatever format the winner prefers. To enter, please give me your thoughts on any of these topics: do you have a best friend? How and when did you meet? What things do you like to do together? Have you read a book with a fictional best friend that you particularly liked?
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
My best friends growing up were my sisters! We lived in a farm out in the country (Ohio!) and didn’t live near anyone from school. So we would always play pretend around the farm. When I went to a Christ-centered university I became best friends with two girls who were sisters.
My bestie and I met in 1978. She has been my rock and is the one who asked me to church (over and over) which led to my relationship with Our Lord. Now that is a friend!
Love best friend relationships in books.
I’ve known my two best friends since they were born because our moms are best friends. As you have experienced with your friend, even though we no longer live in the same states we can pretty much pick up where we left off at a moments notice and there is always a lot of laughter when we get together.
I had two really nice best friends. One lived up the street from me and the other one I met in high school. We had so much fun together. Unfortunately neither one of them is alive today. They both died way too early. I am so glad I have such fond memories of them both.
My very best friend was my Mom. I have quite a few friends that told me they wished they’d had the relationship with their Mom’s that I had with mine. I have a couple of friends from elementary school that are really good friends. I had another best friend who is deceased now, as is Mom.
I have two best friends. One I met in the 8th grade. And one I met at work in my 30’s. I try to get together with each one monthly or bimonthly. We make a day of it, shopping and linger over a long meal at a favorite restaurant.
I met my best friend through a Bible study at church. We aren’t able to get together too often but when we do its always so fun and like no time has passed. We like to meet for lunches or get together for different activities when we can make the time.
Betsy and Tacy’friendship in rhe book series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Oh Jessica, that is so cool! I don’t have a sister but I’m so happy that you have ones that are so close!
Lisa, hallelujah that you met this particular best friend and that she persevered in introducing you to the Lord.
Wow, two generations of besties. I love that idea. Yes, whenever we see each other or even speak on the phone we catch up immediately. In fact, it’s time I give her a call this week!!
Lori, I’m so so sorry to hear about the loss of two of your best friends. I’ve had a tough year this year losing two friends — one who has been one of my dearest/closest since we were 18 and met at Freshman Orientation Day at college. Such huge losses, but yes, the memories are precious and carry us through.
Oh Trudy, me too. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful, loving mother and we’ve always gotten along very well. We’ve taken vacations together, and even now we do pool days, lunches, book events and all kinds of fun things together. She’s such a sweetheart and I love her dearly.
I LOVE outings with my besties! I’m so glad yours are close enough to see them monthly. It’s wonderful to be out with your spouse, your kids or your family. But it’s so special to be with your best friends.
Megan, that’s awesome! That’s how my series Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church starts! Three women meet at Bible Study and determine they have a common mission, to find love for their adult children. They become close friends over the course of the series. You are my real life inspiration!
Thank you for the recommendation! I will have to look up this series and check it out!
My 2 younger sisters and my daughter are my Best friends. My daughter has always been here for me and so have my 2 younger sisters. We all get along beautifully . My sisters and I have gone on road trips and we do all kinds of things when we get together. One of them lives 4 hours away and my other one lives 5 hours away, so I live in the middle of the opposite directions of where they live. My daughter lives in our same town, so that really makes it very nice. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family. I enjoyed reading your post. Your book sounds like a very good read, I will be adding it to my TBR list, thank you for sharing about it.
Alicia, it sounds like your family is very close knit and what a wonderful blessing from God that is!
Hi, Laurie!
I can truly say that my wife is my best friend. We get each other. We laugh together. Though our personalities are different we have an incredible amount of common ground and have built on that over 32 years of marriage.
I also have a strong friendship with my sister. It has grown so much in the last few years and it is such a blessing. She, my wife and I love to get together for the holidays and phone calls are a regular thing. It is very sweet.
I can’t think of any specific story besties but I love it when I see it, especially when it’s the main characters in the romance. :-)
I really had a best friend as a child … but we moved and that friendship left, after 10 years I gave up looking specifically for best friends because it implied a mutual preference over other friends and I could not get that harmony. In my adolescence I was in a group of friends but although I was friends with all of them, none of them was like … my special friend.
Currently I have two very close friends, both Christian, but I do not prefer any of them over the other and I have stopped worrying about the title of “best friend” or whether they think of me that way or not. We are sisters in Christ, I know they care about me and they value my advice or opinions more than those of their secular friends and that is enough for me.
my best friend and I met in college. Both oldest of three with younger brothers. We hit it off right away and have been inseparable since 1989, even though we live hours apart.
I have a friend I met in High School. (the one from primary school I don’t hear from much now) We still catch up at times and chat on the phone. I actually met her a few years earlier at swimming lessons but from High school we use to ride to school together.
I also have a best online friend Sheri who I met online around 18 years ago. We clicked and 8 years ago I got to meet her in person. It was interesting as she was picking me up from the Chattanooga bus depot but wasn’t there when I arrived. I jokingly asked what time do you shut cos I could be here for the night. I didn’t have a phone for America at that stage (arrived in Atlanta from Australia late the night before) and got a message to her via my Aussie friend. She arrived and I said give me a minute to put something away. We then walked to the car and it was in the car on the way to her place we both relised we hadn’t hugged or had the oh wow we finally meet moment it was like we had known each other all our lives and she was just picking me up like she normally would. We both felt so at ease and home with each other it was amazing. I don’t think I have had that with other online people I have meet. We still have that connection and I really do wish we lived near each other not a world and oceans away.
I do! Even though we are oceans apart – we are always there for each other! We’ve met in school – 9th grade. We did a lot of pranks together LOL
My mom’s my best friend! I also have a best writing friend who I’ve never met in real life but talk a lot with online and my brother is a best friend too.
My mom was my best friend and sadly she passed to heaven 4 months ago.
Lincoln, how wonderful that you married your best friend. What a fun way to live life!
Hi Lilly! You have made a very good point. When you don’t have one particular friend you can designate as “best,” but you have many good friends.
I have good friends for certain activities. To see a movie, I invite one. For a play, another. For a concert, another. Depending on our common interests. Having a gang of friends who get along as a group is awesome too.
Fantastic that you and your bestie could help each other through the changes brought about by college!
Wow! How exciting to know each other online for so long then finally meet in person! You must’ve been so excited!
Oceans apart! Someone must’ve moved to another country since the 9th grade. I’m so happy you have each other.
Abigail, isn’t it wonderful to have that closeness with your mother? I feel so blessed to have always had such a connection with my mom.
I’m so sorry to hear that Lucy. You must miss her so much. May your memories of your special times together comfort you.
I had a best friend in Elementary, Junior high and High school. We were inseparable. We met because my Mom sold her Mom Avon. We also went to Elementary school together. In Junior high and High school, I was sent to private school. We would spend time on the weekends, holidays and summers. As we grew older, we each made some choices that separated us. She married right out of high school and had children. I went on to college. When we see each other, it is like nothing changed. Thank you for letting me share. God bless you.
I don’t know if I can say I have a “best” friend but I have 3 very close friends. The first one I met in first grade. We still talk all the time and she always comes to my house for holiday celebrations. The second one, Jean, I met around 1980 as we were working together. I was her maid of honor in her wedding 7 years later and her and her family also are invited to my house for Thanksgiving and Easter dinner. My 3rd friend I met 35 years ago while on a trip to Florida to Spring Training to watch our home team the Minnesota Twins. We were there with friends who were not crazy baseball fans like us , I was actually there with Jean, but we all hung out together that week. When it was the end of our trip she asked me if I wanted to get partial season tickets to the Twins games with her. I said yes and we have been good close friends ever since.
My best friend is my roommate from college. We met as college freshman, assigned at random to live together. It worked out so well that sixteen years later we still live together 😂. We do a lot of things together: eat most dinners together, watch tv shows, go to movies, concerts, and sporting events, vacation together. We’re basically family.
I read “The Mostly Real McCoy” by Julie Christianson, and I loved the friendship between Brooke and Emi. It was fun to see them being friends since college (hitting it off as roommates) and helping each other through their present circumstances.
In real life, my mom is my best friend :)
I have a best friend who I met at 8 years old. We met at our campsite & we both went to the park. He was new there. We love to do everything together even just sit & talk. Yes, I’ve read a few fictional best friend books.
I love best friend books. I met my wife at 12 years old & we’re best friends right away. She made me know that this type of best friendship never ends unlike others I’ve had.
It makes me so happy to discover new books and authors!📚🥰 Having the opportunity to enter a contest is the icing on the cake!🍰
I have been privileged to have several “best” friends . These are people who I may not speak to ever day but I know they are there for me.. Their love is shown in the truth they speak, showing up at hospitals and sometimes just being silent as I process my feelings.
The majority of them I met through my church because of God. We all want to be our best for God so we call each other higher.
What a beautiful story and a beautiful friendship!
That’s so cool! I love forming friendships based on shared interests!
Oh that’s so awesome! God certainly had a hand in that random assignment!!
I’ll definitely put this on my TBR list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hooray for long term friendships that started as children and are just as strong as adults!!
That’s so beautiful!!
Thank you so much Jeanna!
Love shown through actions as well as words is the best kind!
I grew up with double cousins and that feels like having extra siblings. We were all like best friends and are still very close now.
I had a best friend in High School, she was a year behind me. As soon as we met, there seemed to be an instant connection! We did everything together; spent the night at each others houses, celebrated birthdays (even those of our family members), celebrated each others graduation and then after she graduated we rented an apartment together. Then after a couple of years, she moved out and we seemed to drift apart & lost contact for a few years.
Then one day, I wanted to try to get back in contact with her to ask her forgiveness for some stupid stuff I did when I was younger. So I reached out to her mom (she lived in the same house) and was able to get her address. I wrote her a lengthy letter & she wrote back and then we started calling each other (we live in different states). Though we haven’t seen each other for a really long time, we still consider each other BFF’s ! Funny thing too, our two kids (adults now) were born the same year only a few months apart. So it seems we still do everything the same…lol!
She’s the only one I have that close connection to and I do sometimes wished I had that with someone else in my church. I miss spending time with my BFF & talking about anything & even reading each other’s minds. There’s just nobody else like her :-)
I wouldn’t say that I have a best friend, but I do have several really close friends who are dear to me. My best friend from growing up is still a close friend, but we haven’t seen each other since college days over 20 years ago.
Sounds like a wonderful friendship!