The Life Of A Friendship
“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” – C.S. Lewis
I had to look at my resume to get the date. April 1999. That’s when Gina and I met. I swear I didn’t know what to make of her at first. Back then I was very reserved, pretty closed off actually. She was the most open and honest person I’d met in a long time. I liked her right away.
She is one of those people that wears her heart on her sleeve. She’ll tell you anything and everything and will tell it just like it is. But she’s not abrupt or blunt or ever hurtful. She’s just this sweet little bundle of energy. She told me all about her current life in that first week after we met. I went home that Friday with a dilemma. After listening to all that was going on in her marriage, I wanted to felt compelled to suggest that she divorce her husband. Immediately. That wasn’t something I had ever suggested to anyone in my whole life, let alone someone I had known for one week! I didn’t want to offend her or get all up in her business, but she had opened the door herself by telling me all that she did. I literally worried about what I would say all weekend. If I pissed off my new co-worker my first week there, my life could be miserable plus I just didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
When I got to work on Monday I was determined to tell this lovely woman how much she didn’t deserve to be stuck in this awful marriage. I was going to do it as nicely as I could and I was hoping she wouldn’t hit me. She is Italian…has quite a temper.
She looked ecstatic when I saw her. She had some big news. I was nervous as hell. Her news? She had left him. I didn’t have to say a word. I did admit to having worried about this all weekend and we had a good laugh. And that’s how we became friends over 10 years ago.
Our Trip To Hershey PA
Over the years we worked together twice at two different companies. We went through all sorts of work-related drama and nonsense together. We shared all of our personal drama and nonsense. We probably met for lunch about 1,000,000 times. One time I forgot and left her sitting in a Friday’s waiting for me. Did I mention her temper? When she called me that day (I was still working away at my desk, having completely forgotten our plans), she was pissed! I felt awful. I contended that the all-important confirmation call should have been made. She told me to fuck off for leaving her sitting there looking like an idiot. And then we laughed about it. I never forgot a lunch date again!
We did have one real argument that I can remember. For a brief time she was my manager. I didn’t agree with several of her decisions and at one point suggested that she shove a clipboard up her ass. We ended up laughing about that too.
She’s always said, “people tell me things”. She’s always the first to hear the juiciest gossip. And it’s true. People do tell her things. She makes everyone feel as if they can. Whenever I would call to tell her some gossip she’d already heard about it, weeks before. It became my mission to get the scoop before her at least once. The first time I pulled that off was a triumphant day for me.
This is how I remember her. These moments where we seemed to be sharing a brain. These moments where we were just plain being silly. We’ve had a lot of fun over the years and she’s taught me more than she will ever know. Good times. 
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, Cyndi, what a wonderful story of friendship. Isn’t it wonderful when two people just seem to click like that?
What a beautiful story about a beautiful woman! I always find it intriguing how those special people always enter our lives at the most unexpected times. You just never know who is still going to be a part of your life years later:) My favorite line: “She makes everyone feel as if they can.” Wow! What a powerful thing to say!
A special friendship indeed!!!
That is a great post! It’s exactly how I remember too! When I think of her, I can honestly only picture her with a HUGE smile on her face and a sincere hearty giggle with everything she said!!! She is a complete joy! You are so blessed to be as close to her as you are! You’re both lucky to have each other! Hugs & Love!
Lisa
Last week Barb shared with me that she was apprehensive when we were going to scrap at Archiver’s (years ago) and I told her your friend Gina was coming. Barb freely admits she doesn’t like “new” people as she doesn’t trust them and feels shy around people she doesn’t know. She said Gina blew her away — she thought she was one of the nicest, most fun people she had ever met and liked her immediately. I felt the same way — it’s a rare person that makes you like her immediately but with her big smile and easy laugh she is one in a million! She will be missed – not only by her close friends, but by those of us who weren’t lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her.
i love beautiful stories of friendship like this. i have 3 very good friends, but i know women who don’t even have 1 person to share a special bond with. you and gina are a wonderful example of what all friendships should strive to be. you and gina and her friends and family are in my thoughts & prayers.
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A deep friendship with a woman is a gift and you already know you are blessed to have this gift with Gina. I am so sad for you that losing her seems so imminent. Sending you blessings and love,
Karen
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i love it. love the post. love the story. love all that this friendship has meant to you. some friendships transform us. that is a gift.
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Blessed is the heart which has been touched by a ray of friendship…a true one just like yours.
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Thank you all for your comments!
Lisa W: That’s huge coming from Barb. Thank you for telling me.
Lisa R: I know, no matter what, she always looks at the positive side of things.
Sounds like a truly wonderful friendship! You both are very blessed to have each other.
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What a beautiful friendship! I met Gina back in grade school. She was one of the nicest friends I had as a child. I moved away when we were in Junior High and lost touch. I thought about her often through the years, and about a year ago decided to try to get in touch with her. I am so glad I did. From the moment we sat down, it was like being with a friend I’d never lost contact with. We got together for three wonderful lunches that I will cherish forever. She is hands down the most upbeat, happy person I have ever met and I will miss her.
Thanks for telling your story about Gina here. That’s so great that you guys were able to reconnect after all those years.
I worked with Gina at PMI Mortgage and we became good friends. We would go to lunch together all the time and we would go to a Sushi restaurant. It took a couple of times going but she finally convienced me to try it. I did and am now hooked. I actually think of her everytime I eat it. When she first found out… she had breast cancer we would often talk about what she was going through. She was strong and she was a fighter. She is now home with her heavenly father and we will soon meet again. Until that day, I will miss her dearly.
Jayne, thank you so much for posting about your friendship with Gina here. She talked about you and your sushi lunches a lot.