Finding a friend

I'm on a train, on my way to visit a friend who I haven't seen in a year. I miss her terribly. She's one of my most favorite people on Earth - literally. Before she moved to distant lands, we spent a lot of time together, especially the spring and summer after Big, when I was "on a relationship hiatus."

Once we started spending time together, we found out that she used to work at a place where X worked, as a trainer. Turns out - he trained her in one of her first "professional" jobs after college. So, we've been connected before, just never knew.

I suppose back then, I didn't really need a younger, single, strong, independent friend. I was married (happily), and settled in life. Several years later, I did need someone to show me how fulfilling and happy the single life can be. I did need someone to help me find how much strength I really had inside, and how much I really love the life I have.

My friend may not realize this, but she's probably one of my biggest inspirations. I look up to her - and not just because she's, like, 7 inches taller than I am.

Life is funny, that way. We move around, find new places and take up new interestes. We meet new people, and expand our circles. We find new friends who we think will be around forever - then life takes those people away.

But the truly important people? The ones who make the most difference, and leave the biggest impact?

They were there all along, and they're never really that far away.