Saturday SHOUT-Out: My BFF

This morning, I would like to give a huge SHOUT out to my BFF, Nikel.  She does not have a blog, but  is one of the few people in my “real” life who read my blog.  She is a huge support in my life, even though we don’t really get to hang out with one another that often anymore.

I met Nikel ten years ago, when we were working together at the same agency.  She left to go on to bigger and better things, and then had her babies and spent some years at home.  Out of all my friends who have come and gone over the past decade, she is the only one who has stood the test of time and space.

She’s back at work part time, which is pretty impressive.  Her ability to juggle stuff never fails to amaze me.  She’s the person who is always super thoughtful and does things like leaves a lasagna with fresh basil on your doorstep when you are eight months pregnant and having a nervous breakdown.

I quite frankly am amazed by her, and flattered she would choose to have me in her life.

She loves me, despite the fact that after ten years I still can’t remember her birthday (a. I don’t remember anyone’s birthdays other than my kids, it is a mental defect in me, and b.  her birthday was Friday in case you were wondering, but I wished it to her on Thursday because I suck like that).

Nikel “gets me”.  We are like Meredith and Christina on Grey’s Anatomy.  She is Meredith of course because she’s skinny and looks great in jeans, and I’m Christina because, you know, the butt face and irritability.  She’s my person.

One time I got the random urge to make up a song and sing it to her when we were working together.  I marched up to her desk, my arms pumping back and forth and sang, “Nikel, she is a friend of mine!  Nikel, she is so nice and fine!  Nikel, she makes me giggle.  She has brown hair and a really nice smile!”  She laughed and we got a coffee.  How many people would just accept such silliness and not have me committed, I’ve wondered throughout the years.

Here are a few other things that make her great:

• When I had postpartum depression after my first baby, Nikel (who’s first baby was just a few months older), got me to come to a baby yoga class that totally helped me bond with Jack and feel less isolated as a new mom.
• Nikel can totally tell when I am texting her in my Napoleon Dynamite voice.
• She also replies compassionately to my ragey PMS texts without thinking I’m a total freak.  Or maybe she does but she doesn’t make me feel that way.

She’s been there for me with understanding and quiet perseverance through dating woes, wedding planning, fights with my spouse, miscarriage, pregnancy, and all the little highs and lows of parenting.  Even though we haven’t known each other since we were tiny kids, I still feel like we have gone through almost as much life together.

Big love to Nikel!!  And happy belated birffday.

Who is your BFF?  What makes them so special to you?  

Saturday SHOUT Out is my way of acknowledging other bloggers and friends who touch my life and make the world a better place. If you would like to be featured in a Saturday SHOUT Out, please let me know in the comments below. It is also encouraged (and good etiquette) that you check out the others featured, and be familiar with the format and vibe of Momaste. Thanks!