We'll always have "the Costanzas"

This week's Friendship Friday post is about P.C..

I met P.C. at Makor in 2003. I think we were placed at some meals together or we just noticed each others' presence enough to recognize one another. So when we both showed up to a bridal shower that summer, the Jewish Geography circle became even tighter. I don't remember when we knew that we went to the same high school, but that came up in conversation at some point. In any case, I always thought she was nice, but we were only at the phase of making casual conversation. We hung out at the same friend's bachelorette party and wedding, but it took a while before we became close friends.

In the spring or summer of 2004, we started e-mailing each other and I found out that she was getting a masters degree in counseling. I had intended to pursue the same for a while and asked her more about it. From that point on, we started hanging out and found out all the things we had in common. I invited her over for Shabbat meals and we'd get Chinese food together a lot. She got along well with my husband and she also loved our cat.

The following year, I invited P.C. to a Passover seder we were hosting on the first night. My grandparents also came over. I think this was the first time she met them, but she had a mental picture of them from all the time my mom and I referred to them as "the Costanzas." (We were comparing them to George's parents on "Seinfeld.") When she finally met them, they didn't disappoint and that made for a very interesting seder. There was also a point where my mom was playing with her hair because she thought it was my hair (we both had an abundance of brown curls). She got along well with my family and I also enjoyed meeting her family. The first time was at her graduation party. Her parents were so warm and welcoming that I felt I had known them my whole life. I even had my parents host a meal one evening so they could meet her parents. I just thought they would all get along so well.

We continued to stay close and she became an honorary aunt when my older son was born. She even got to babysit for him once. They totally adored each other, so it worked out well. I was sad that I wouldn't get to see her as often when we moved to NJ, but she was always around whenever we came to town for a visit. She also sends gifts to the kids for birthdays and Hanukkah. It's not expected or required, but it's such a sweet gesture and she has maintained her honorary aunt status in such a way. Soon we'll get to talk to her on Skype.

This past year, she came to visit us at our new home. Of course, she didn't expect to be snowed in the whole weekend, but we had a fun time bonding and playing with the kids. I'm hoping she'll give our town a second chance so that we can do touristy things together in DC next time she visits. I also look forward to seeing her the next time we're in Chicago. No matter how often we get to see or talk with each other, we have a great bond and I know we'll always have "the Costanzas."

Side note: We were talking on the phone the other night and she brought up "the Costanzas" at one point, which reaffirms what I just said.