On friendships and memories

Nine years ago, in 1999, Audrey and I headed to New York City for the summer. I had just finished my freshman year of college and was taking a course at NYU. Audrey was going into her senior year of college and interning for The View.

We lived in an NYU dorm, in a suite with two rooms and a common area. We had one of the rooms to ourselves, but didn’t know who would be in the other room.

We were fortunate enough to get matched up with a wonderful girl from California named Amy (and another girl, too, but she had a boyfriend in the city and was literally never around). Amy, Audrey and I became fast friends in the weeks we lived together.

Amy even came home to RI with us for the 4th of July weekend to celebrate with my family (the town my parents lived in at the time has the longest continually running Independence Day parade in the country, so it’s a big deal there).


Forgive my blue sunglasses… I was going with the red, white & blue theme of the day

One of my favorite memories from that summer in the city came on one hot, humid evening. Amy and I decided to eat dinner at a little outdoor cafe. Why we didn’t opt for an air conditioned spot in that 100 degree heat I don’t recall, but nonetheless, we sweated it out together as we enjoyed our meal that evening.

An older woman pushing a baby carriage started to walk past us on the sidewalk. She stopped and looked at us, and then said something like, “You know, I have to tell you, I was walking down the street looking at how hot and miserable everyone is, but the sight of you two sitting out here smiling and laughing together made me forget for a moment just how hot and humid it is outside.”

I don’t even know why, but that moment has stuck with me, and made me smile whenever I think of it. Maybe because it just reminds me what a great friendship is… it can make you forget the bad stuff around you as you enjoy each other’s company.

Since that summer, Amy and I have stayed in touch despite living on different coasts, and we have seen each other here and there over the years… but always when Amy happened to be on my coast.

Three years ago this November, it just so happened that we would be in NYC at the same time again… and so we made plans to meet up. I was particularly excited to see her because she was with the guy she had been dating for a few months. I had heard so much about him and I couldn’t wait to meet him.

Steve and I walked to the little coffee shop together (it was right near Audrey’s NYC apartment at the time) and met up with them. I could instantly see how happy the two of them made each other, and what a wonderful match it was.

So you can see why I was so happy to travel to Amy’s side of the country over the weekend to see this lovely couple tie the knot on Lake Tahoe, in one of the most glorious settings I have ever seen.


Find the newly married couple a la Where’s Waldo?!

The weather happened to be perfect. Everything was perfect. There was no humidity in the air.

And I was able to smile and laugh with my dear friend again – in person – as we celebrated her special, special day.

That’s another thing about enduring friendships… no matter how many wonderful memories you already have together, there is always room for more.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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11 Comments

  1. 9.30.08

    Amy is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met… in my entire lifetime… and I was honored, delighted and ecstatically happy to attend her perfect wedding and meet her perfect Alex! Our weekend in Tahoe could not have been more glorious!

  2. 9.30.08
    C said:

    What a wonderful post, Jane! So true how really great friendships can make everything seem all the better 🙂

  3. 9.30.08

    Aw, what a story! You both look gorgeous.

  4. 9.30.08
    Amy said:

    Jane, this is a beautiful post. Thank you for making the long trip over to “my” coast for our wedding this weekend! I was touched beyond words to look out into the audience and see you and your mom there with big smiles on your faces. I love you both!

  5. 9.30.08

    What a wonderful, sweet post! Congrats to your friend!

  6. 10.1.08
    Audrey said:

    Jane,
    What a beautiful post and tribute to the friendship you and Amy have. She is an amazing woman. I remember you and I getting “worried” about who we were going to be matched with! NYC did good!
    xo,
    Audge

  7. 10.1.08
    Chrissy said:

    What a great post! It’s great you were able to find a friend like that in a roommate you didn’t know. Those pictures are great – I love the boat photo. It must have been a fun wedding!

  8. 10.1.08

    What a nice post!! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog. Isn’t Cape May just wonderful? We love it here. It’s like going back in time 🙂

  9. 10.1.08
    kristina said:

    What a nice post. There is almost nothing in life as good as a good friend.

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