When I was 13 I tried out for the famous Liberty High School drill team. They were very illusive and all of the girls seemed statuesque and a picture of perfection. My lowly 8th grade self thought that it would be brilliant to enter my high school experience in a cute, and short, skirt. There were about 100 girls that tried out, and 6 of us youngins made the team. Me, Dani Jo, Jenna, Kim, Amber, and Leslie.
During the 3 years I was on the team, Dani, my best friend, had to quit the team for medical reasons, Kim quit, Amber switched to cheer, and thus it left Leslie, Jenna and I. Jenna and I didn't became besties, but Leslie and I shared an amazing bond. I didn't know anything about her when we first started drill team, but she became one of those people I cannot ever forget.
During high school I was always with Dave Jones, and she was always with her boyfriend as well, so our school hours were not spent with each other. But, when the school bell rang, we were each others companions for the next 3 hours. We practiced HARD together and worked on anything and everything drill related.
As the years went on, Leslie began to be a friend to remember. She was so sensible and cut through bull-shit with a genuine smile. Amongst the girls who wanted to get married and make babies instantaneously, stood Leslie, with whom I shared the same fascination with others dreams. We were similar. We wanted college, and grad school, and maybe marriage and kids. We wanted more for ourselves and dreamed as if anything was within our reach.
I moved to CA and she stayed at the U. Both tied together again by Kappa Delta. She was there the night I met Dave, actually, she was his date! Nonetheless, Leslie has been my person. My person who can share the glory in acceptance letters, good grades, research conferences, and intellectual conversation. She was the first friend to show me that friends are kind and caring, not mean and vindictive. She showed me that pride should be found in accomplishment, not performance. I don't know what I did to deserve Leslie in high school, but she kept me grounded in the last two years. She cut through my excessive crap and waiting patiently for me to find my own.
She lives in Connecticut now. Doing exactly what she should be doing, getting her doctorate in organizational psychology. Genius. She is so intelligent it hurts. If I didn't love her so much I would be jealous.
I just got done meeting up for breakfast with her and nothing has changed. She is still the petite, loving, person I met when I was 13. She is smart and encouraging and grounded. She makes me feel like what I am doing right now, is worthwhile. I miss her more than she knows. I talk a lot about how lovely my friends are, but Leslie is the original, my vintage friend that gets better as the years go by. My Lorna.
Thanks Les for 10 years of friendship. Who would have thought that our combination would be one that stood the test of time. I can't wait for you to be done with Connecticut and come home. I miss you daily...
