The last days of 2014 treated me so well as I was able to visit with so many friends and family members. Yesterday, on New Year's Eve, I had the most amazing friendship experience of the year. Read my story below to see what I mean.
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| First, let's step back in time... |
I had made my very first best friend back in kindergarten when I lived in Staten Island, New York. Jennifer and I clicked instantly and seemed to adore each other all at once. I remember always being thoughtful while making or purchasing gifts for her throughout kindergarten and first grade. On Sundays, I would practice my scissor skills while choosing the coolest comics to bring to my very best friend once I got back to our kindergarten classroom the following Monday.
Jennifer and I kept each other happy no matter the situation. When we joined a soccer team with our other classmates it seemed we were sometimes more interested in holding hands and skipping through the field while giggling rather than chasing the hard-to-catch ball. As other children fought for their turn on the seesaw at recess, we avoided the arguments and used our imagination and sense of exploration while digging in the dirt by the fence. On weekends we would have sleepovers at her house, might bake with my mom or our favorite...we would take a trip to the mall for a Happy Meal at McDonalds and a shopping trip to the Hello Kitty Store with anyone who would take us. We had an understanding and respect for one another, as all great friends should. In fact, I trusted her so much that she is the only person who could get me to try new foods, including the different dipping sauces for my chicken nuggets on our trip to the mall one time.
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| Ms. Jennifer (left) & Ms. Tricarico (right) on the soccer field in kindergarten |
I was close friends with Jennifer until my family and I moved to New Jersey upon finishing first grade. After we moved, Jen and I only saw each other a few times, once for a Halloween party, for my 7th birthday get together and another time for a super fun sleepover in New York. One day, in fourth grade, while selling Girl Scout cookies to neighbors, I noticed one family had the same last name as Jennifer. It turned out her aunt and uncle had moved to a house on my street! A few short months later, she and her family visited her aunt and uncle for the Fourth of July. I was able to spend a little bit of time catching up with her, but after that visit life got busy for the both of us and we lost touch again, besides an occasional letter through fifth grade.
Once the Internet made things easier for people to communicate, I was able to contact my long-lost best friend a few years ago. It turns out she has remained just as much of a creative thinker as I had remembered. She designs beautiful handbags (see them here) and lives in Italy now. We write to each other once in a while and always say how great it would be to meet up now that we are grown-ups. Yesterday, we finally brought this idea to life. Ms. Jennifer was home for the holidays visiting with her family. As I sat at a little restaurant waiting to meet my old friend in Manhattan I felt nervous wondering if we would have anything in common to speak about anymore. I heard the door open and turned around...we instantly hugged each other and both looked shocked to see one another, even though we had planned the whole thing out. It was an instant reconnection. We had plenty to talk about and the amount of descriptive memories we recalled from such a young age was beyond amazing. I am still glowing with appreciation for this opportunity.
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| Our best friend reunion. Ms Tricarico (left) & Ms. Jennifer (right) |
As I drove back through the Holland Tunnel toward home I felt incredibly blessed. As a kindergarten teacher now, I am able to witness first true friendships being made on a weekly basis. Until yesterday's reunion with Ms. Jennifer I don't think I had realized how special and important first friendships truly are. The academic growth is always wonderful to see, but the social and emotional connections my students make are such an important foundation for everything else they have in store for them in their lives.
When is the last time your child had a play date or had the chance to meet new friends on a playground, at a dance class, karate school or at Chuck E. Cheese? What will they remember and discuss 25 years from now about these first friendships in elementary school? Isn't that something so amazing to think about...?
Here is some reading for parents about childhood friendship:
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