storytime

 In the beginning of my 8th grade year at North Junior High in Boise, ID, I almost got my trash kicked. I was standing at my locker, all 70 pounds of bones in my too-big cheerleader uniform, when a very angry Krissy approached. Word around the preteen scene was that I had called her the B word. I was a very mouthy 13 year old but on this account I was innocent. We had a very heated discussion and then, as will happen with girls this age, walked away friends. In fact, Krissy remained one of my closest friends throughout my time at NJHS & later in high school. Krissy was a bad ass. She had a big, protective family with brothers & cousins. And somehow, I was in with them, too.
 Krissy still looks out for me. She checks in via Facebook & asks how the Seattle Experiment is going. She & I plan for a day when we can get her boys and mine together even though we are far apart for this season.

 When Matt's cousin was shot in the line of duty & all the what-ifs that I had tried not to think about Matt's line of work flooded in, I met another friend. She had been another active parent at the boy's school in Nampa & bonus points, she always had some fabulous accessory in her hair. Marcela was reeling from her own personal crisis but reached out to me. I call her Mafia, she is also a bad ass. She grew up in Nampa, in a bad part of town  (near Matt, actually) & is all the more street wise for it. Somehow she loves this still too mouthy white girl that is me.
 Marcela is a champion for me to not lose me in Mommyhood. She has now coined the phrase "Queen of the World Moment," meaning good self-care has to be a priority for us in raising kids. I never feel dumb sharing photos of what I'm wearing or how I did my hair with Marcela. She is always telling me not to lose my sparkle....or else ;)

 Fast forward to our life in the Emerald City. I have found friendship with a fierce little Italian woman who bosses me around & makes me try amazing pork products. (I love you, Ang!) She drags me out of the house on bad days with homeschool & takes me out to comfort food. She tells me her story of almost being killed in a car accident & coming out of a coma & the physical therapy she is still doing. It inspires me & pulls me out of my funk.

 My neighbor, Rhiannon is the kindest woman I've met up here but when our landlords were being too pushy, she cornered them & gave 'em the what for. She is always putting a glass of red wine in my hand & laughing with me about our kids last antics. She challenges me that my five year needs to wipe his own behind. (working on it!)

 I love a strong woman. I need loyal friends. It goes along with the idea Oprah talked about, that every woman needs a wife. Woman leaning on other women to get through this life. Like Sister Wives but not tabloid worthy.