My best friend is Manda. We've been friends since we met my freshman (her sophomore) year in high school, 9 years ago. When I first met Manda, I was really super quiet. Most of my friends from middle school went to another high school, so I was ultimately trying to make new friends entirely on my own. It was nerve-wrecking, and pair that with my already quiet persona in groups, and you have difficulties making friends. Freshman year, I immediately joined the drama club, and was really enthralled with the main group. They were all so outgoing and close, and I wanted to be in a group like that. Manda was one of the "leaders". She wasn't shy and tended to be the center of attention. She was one of those people who just had an aura of cool, never having to try too hard, because she was just herself. I was super intimidated, and when I get intimidated, I get quieter. Needless to say, me and Manda didn't become close freshman year.

Sophomore year, a few of us, including Manda, started working at Cold Stone Creamery. We had an awful lot of fun, but still, Manda intimidated the hell out of me. One weekend was jam-packed, between work, play rehearsals, someone's birthday, and a trip to the springs. Since I was the youngest in the group, I didn't have my license yet. Manda offered me a place on her couch that weekend, since I lived too far out of the way to drive to for all of these events, and we had the same work schedule. I was thrilled! It would be my first alone time, and maybe we could open up to each other! By the end of the weekend, we were best friends! I even told her that she intimidated me, and she actually told me that I intimidated her! She had always been intimidated by quiet people, because you never know what they're thinking. Her defense mechanism was to become more boisterous, whereas mine was to become mute. I am so thankful for that weekend.

The day of her high school graduation was also the day she moved 2,500 miles away. I was absolutely terrified that I would lose her forever. She now lives 2,800 miles away, but it doesn't matter. We have remained best friends, even though we've only seen each other 3 times in person since she moved. That last time was for her wedding, in which I was a bridesmaid. =)