Today I went to a friends baby shower.
Not just any old friend, not my best friend, not an acquaintance, not a work friend, not just a school friend – you know the ones you smile at in the street but keep walking. No this was a friend who I met in grade one. Yep it occurred to me this afternoon that no matter how close or not I am to this friend there are some special memories that one holds when you have known someone for a whopping 21 years, 12 years of which we went to the same schools.
There were also girlfriends from my high school years at the baby shower, a few of which are pregnant or Mums.
It made me really happy to know that if not anything else, new life has brought us back together.
That these big bumps we carry somehow create an instant equal playing ground. Any growth in different directions, any awkward conversations that sprout from the fact that 9 years post high school we are actually different beings than that which we remember is instantly patched over with the commonality of the bump.
I love how the conversation that was.. ” how are you, what’s your job these days, what’s your job title? Oh yes what responsibilities does that carry? Are you married? Are you qualified? Do you own a house?” all the questions that make you feel less than adequate or underachieved. The ones that make you seriously think about how you structure your answer in the case that you are being judged, are now replaced with kind words about your new life, or life to be as a mumma!
It becomes about supporting each other, giving friendly advice, making a genuine offer to meet up for a coffee and a yarn.
It was a breathe of fresh air to leave the baby shower with the knowledge that I have rekindled a few genuine friendships.
Ohhh suz, how to make an extremely emotional pregnant woman tear up on her couch!! I’m a damn blubbering mess!! It’s a little scary when u put how long we have known each other down on paper, and I absolutely love the fact that none of the crappy other questions matter anymore, non of the feelings of underachieving, just pure support and understanding, I love that it’s absolutely comfortable with us all and it honestly felt like 9 years hadn’t passed and we were at mum and dads getting ready for our first day of grade 8. Bring on the next chapter of our lives involving coffeess, catch ups, dirty nap pies, and probably from me more tears ha ha.