I forgot to post yesterday. Partly because I was with you in person, and partly because I wasn't sure what to say. About three hours ago, I still wasn't sure. I wasn't sure until I sat down in my car to drive home from church and realized that I had just said my first two "meaningful" goodbyes before college.
Both came today. One from the girl who has been one of my closest friends for sixteen years, and one from the boy I really hardly know but has been a part of my life for just as long.
Melody is an incredible young woman of God. We share a birthday - she's technically 12 hours older than me. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. She went to my church when we were little, but maybe about 8 years back her family switched churches. That was weird for me - Melody and I were always side by side at Oxboro, and suddenly my closest friend was gone. We grew apart for a while there. It was hard, keeping up a friendship when we had little in common and no shared experiences. But we did, because both of us wanted it bad enough that it was worth it even in the hard times. We fell into a pattern of what we came to call "quarterly visits". About once every 3 months or so, we would get together for coffee, or just hang out at one of our houses. And it was good. To catch up and talk about anything and know that no matter how bad things were, there was always at least one person to go to. One person who wouldn't tell anyone else your secret fears, heartaches, and even secret joys.
This summer we were determined to do better, and - to our great excitement - we did! It seems like once every few weeks this summer, Melody and I managed to get together. Once at Panera, twice at my house, and then today at her house. I don't know if you have a friend who you've known practically forever that you're still in touch with, but it's amazing. We still talk about things that happened years ago. And I'm convinced that no matter how long we are apart, I will still be able to talk comfortably with her about anything.
But today. Today we said goodbye. Goodbye for the first real time in sixteen years, because it will be at least four months before we see each other again. In some ways it doesn't seem long - after all, we met barely more often than that for years. But the fact that sixteen hours separate us is more than intimidating. In a way, it's terrifying. Because suddenly, the person I've been able to see whenever I really need to (quite literally for as long as I've needed to) isn't going to be accessible. Sure, we will write letters. And I can email her or text her whenever I need to. But there's something about that face to face contact that won't be there. And it breaks my heart.
Melody is one of the strongest people I know. She has endured and conquered things that I can't even imagine - from insane food allergies to hospitalizations to struggles with friendships. She hurts more intensely than I would have ever thought, but somehow, she finds strength. And I know that comes from her savior Jesus Christ. Because somehow, through all of that trial and pain, she shines with the brightest, most beautiful light I have ever seen. And I hope it never goes out, and I hope I never lose her as my friend.
Jeremiah is an MK - missionary kid. That's how he's been a part of my life for so long without me really getting a chance to know him at all. Jeremiah lived in Mexico with his family doing ministry for the better part of his life. Every few years they would come and spend a summer here. He was in the same graduating class as me, so I tried to catch up with him when he was back. Plus, the idea of having a friend who lived in another country was always sort of alluring.
The last time Jeremiah was back was about 4 years ago I think. He came to church a lot that summer, and we became... well, acquaintances, I suppose. When he left, I sent him a friend request on Facebook (which he accepted) and somehow we came to a sort of silent agreement to stay in touch. So for the last four years, I would send him a message once in a while. To see how he was doing, to ask about the ministry, to ask about his college search, or just to say hi.
When I found out he was coming back from Mexico again before college, it was like finding out I got to see a long-lost friend for the first time in years. Which in a way, I did. You and I have talked about the "culture-shock" that college might be coming from a Private Christian School. Imagine the culture shock coming from a Private Christian School in Mexico that graduated a class entirely of MKs. I really don't know how he did it, but he fit right back into our youth group.
Before Jeremiah came back the first week, he sent me a message - to check if we had church, and to see if people would mind if he showed up. The question was so bizarre that I almost laughed when he asked. I mean, of course people wouldn't mind - everyone was excited to see him again! And everyone was. But as I think about it more, I have no idea how weird that would be. To come back to a bunch of people who think they're your best friends - when you've only really talked to a few of them in years. But I assured him that, no, people wouldn't mind. And he came - and everyone it was great to see him.
Just a few days ago I got another message from him. I don't think I've ever been so blessed by something so simple in my life. He took time to send me a message to say how grateful he was that I'd made a special effort to help bring him into the youth group. I'm not sure I was even honestly making a conscious effort - except maybe one to show him that I wanted to be his friend. But to him, it made all the difference. Jeremiah leaves tomorrow to spend a week working before heading to college. I don't know when I'll see him again.
I think, from these two goodbyes, I learned a lot. From Melody, I learned how important it is to hold on to the people who are closest to you. And more than that, I learned that it's possible. From Jeremiah, I learned that it doesn't really matter how long you are apart (or how far apart you are). If you want to stay in touch, you can. And also, that the little things make all the difference in the world.
I hope that there's someone at Grove City who will make the special effort to help me adjust to actually having to study and take finals. And I hope there's someone at Drake who will be perfect to help you adjust into a non-Christian environment. More than that, I hope that we can make like Melody and me and hold on to our friendship. And I hope we can be like Jeremiah and me and stay in touch no matter the distance.
I miss you already, Linnea Bellomo. I can't wait to hear more about your great adventure.
Your sister in Christ,
Kira
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