We'll always have "Sesame's Bad Seeds."

This week's Friendship Friday post is about L.B.

I met L.B. during freshman year of high school. We were in gym class and I remember her being the first person in class to reach out and be friendly to me. I appreciated her gesture of friendship and reciprocated. We'd run and talk at the same time. Then I started hanging out with her and her friends in the mornings and at lunch. We didn't get together outside of school, but I was thankful for her friendship.

We didn't see each other as often during sophomore and junior year. We just weren't in the same classes and fell into different circles of friends. Then we ended up in creative writing class senior year. We worked on a parody of "Sesame Street" together (along with another girl) and called it "Sesame's Bad Seeds." It was goofy but we had some great laughs over it. Years later, she found a copy of it to give to me.

During my college years, we didn't see each other much. I occasionally would run into her when I was home for a break. She worked at a shoe store, so we'd chat while my mom was looking for shoes. I think I gave her my contact info, but nothing ever came of it.

About 9 years ago, I got a group of friends together to see a community theater production of "Little Shop of Horrors." One of my friends invited her along. Afterward, we all went to dinner and talked for a long time. We really connected when I found out that she liked "Sex and the City." That fall, she and I joined a bowling league along with two other friends (J.J. was one of them). We started hanging out more often, as a result and continued to become close.

In the fall of 2004, she had a falling out with another friend (which has since been patched up) and it brought us closer together. We'd get together all the time, whether it was for Chinese food, watching movies, playing board games, etc. We always had each other's back, no matter what. She liked to throw parties at her apartment and I always enjoyed them, even when the A/C wasn't working. I also helped her reconnect with some other friends from our high school days, as well as connect her with my college friends.

When I started keeping Kosher in the home (but still eating vegetarian outside the home), she would make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for me at her place because she knew I couldn't have it at mine. We had a thing about watching "The Swan" together (an extreme makeover show for women...done on their faces and bodies). We also had our crushes on Mark Ruffalo and John Stamos in common. When I was getting married, she threw me a wedding shower. She also helped my husband plan my 30th birthday party (and I threw one for her later that year). When we were moving out of state, she threw us a going away party. She even hosted a party or two when we came back for visits.

Sometime around when my older son was born, L.B. introduced me to her grandma. She was really sweet and we'd all go out for Chinese (a.k.a. chop suey) together. She reminded me of my (late) maternal grandma. I would write letters to her after I moved out of state. I was really sad to hear of her passing and hope her memory will always be a blessing to L.B. and her family.

I think she probably knew this, but I didn't like most of the guys she dated. There was one in early 2005 but they ended up as just friends. He was cool and even connected us both with another friend. Otherwise, the guys she liked just didn't deserve someone as kind hearted and loveable as L.B. When she met her (now) husband in late 2006, I was thrilled for her. He was totally sweet and they had a lot in common. Before we moved to NJ, her husband told me not to worry, that he'd take good care of her. He still is doing that, so I'm very happy for them to be married. (He's quiet, but he has a great sense of humor and is very creative. I know he truly loves her too.)

I haven't seen L.B. since November 2008. I hope I'll get to see her when I'm in town next month. I feel bad that I haven't been in touch as much as I had in the past. We used to "save each other's sanity" at work with long and funny e-mails. Sometimes I'd even send her "Friends" trivia. I miss those e-mails. I see her on Facebook a lot, but I'd love to get back into the e-mailing mode again. L.B. is a loyal friend and a great woman to have in your corner. I'm glad good things have come her way, as she totally deserves them. No matter how often we see each other or communicate, I know we'll always have "Sesame's Bad Seeds" to look back upon and laugh.