30 Jan Life Long Friendships
We all have friends. Some are new friends, some we’ve had for a while, but the friendships we cultivate at MLCA are a bit different. They are based on mutual respect, understanding, and faith in Christ. One such example is the friendship between Jessica and Grace. They met in pre-k and are still best friends as they enter 8th grade together. They recently sat down and recalled some fond memories from years past. Laughter erupted when they shared stories about when Jessica drew Rainbow Dash and Grace colored it “incorrectly”, how they worked together to make a book of “Carrot Man and Oreo Guy”, and how Grace often waits for Jessica to reach her gym bag off the top of the lockers.
I continued to hear stories about Grace “inspiring” Jessica to read by offering her $1 for each book read, how they do homework together, Jessica helps with math and Grace helps with history. There was another time that Jessica felt faint in P.E. but wanted to keep running so Grace ran behind her to make sure she was safe. Grace explained that one of her favorite things about their friendship is that they can both just be still together. They can sit next to each other and don’t feel forced to start conversations, but instead, they often feel each other’s joy, gladness, pain, sorrow, and calm.
They also often finish each other’s sentences, and I can tell you, as their teacher, they often write the same answers on tests or write similarly in writing assignments even though they don’t sit near each other. They are both very hard-working, loving, kind young ladies who not only spend time together in school, but also at each other’s house and attend church and confirmation class together. Their friendship isn’t just about playing basketball and having dance parties, it’s also about sharing their faith. They attend chapel together daily and have been taught to pray for each other (along with all their fellow students) in times of need. “We’re partners in crime,” one said… but they are also partners in forgiveness and sisters in Christ.
A lot has changed for both girls in the past 9 years, but their friendship isn’t one of them. I’m sure this friendship will last a test of time. They’ll keep learning together, playing together, worshiping together, and praying together… like all great friendships should.
