If you have ever had the distinct honor of meeting my firstborn, there is a good chance you were asked if you wanted to be best friends. Like, 10 minutes into your acquaintance.
She's a bundle of joy with love to spread around and always on the lookout for her next best friend. While outgoing, she's a little shy on first introductions to new scenes. She'll usually hold back a little, watching and waiting. Keeping an eye out for that new special friend and wondering if she will be approached first.
This year she entered a new group at AWANAS, a group where all the bigger and cooler kids hang out. Or at least those a little older than her oldest sibling. With some of my other kids, I might be worried with how they might be received or if they will be able to handle the transition well. In Eliana's case, I just wait at home for her return when I'll get to hear the play by play rundown of the MOST.EXCITING.TIME.EVER!
After a few weeks, I heard one name repeated over and over. Anna this. Anna said that. Anna likes me! Anna wants to sit by me. Anna is going to call me!
And did Anna ever! Our phone has not stopped ringing since their bff-ship was solidified over the first phone call. Now their almost daily chats are filled with sibling complaints and Webkinz online trading. Anna is the perfect compliment to Eliana and with her boundless silliness and phone loyalty able to bring a smile to our Eliana like no one else.
Last week, Anna helped us celebrate Eliana's entrance into the last single digit year of her life with a first official sleepover, a trip to the salon for a haircut (think Edna from Invisibles :), and Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3D.
In Eliana's world, best friends come and go. This combo of Eli and An(n)a is a match made in heaven. It's one I think the we'll see a lot of, maybe for years to come.
To the Elis and Annas around the world, to bffs past and present: Laugh until it hurts and when life hurts, be the one to bring laughter back.
*In honor of my own bff, my mother, whose companionship has granted me some of life's greatest joys, even when life hurts.
