Found: Pure Friendship

I recently had one of the most wonderful experiences of my life....you know, one those times when you feel you are watching one of those well-produced episodes of Oprah, only it's about your life!  It was that "joy rising" feeling that we all hope for and it all started oh, about 40 years or so ago.  Let me tell you the story from the beginning!

Bloomington circa 1969/70.
That's me, my sister Laura, my Mom (behind me) and my
Godparents, Brant & Jeanine - aren't we all so 60's stylish!
That's Tulip Tree in the background where Lisa W. lived.

As a young child, my family moved to Bloomington, IN when my Father enrolled at Indiana University to get his Doctorate degree in Education. It was quite the adventure for a 7-year-old, I was very excited; we moved to an apartment building called Campus View and my new school, starting first grade, was just a few blocks away.  Our school campus was "avant garde" for the time - open spaces, a common area where all grades gathered and my sister's classroom had a tree house with a parachute for a roof and a monkey named Petey! What I remember about my classroom were the cubbies, we each got our own and we kept our gym shoes and nap mats in there - how special were we! 

Lisa W. circa 1972 (3rd Grade),  looking just like I remember her - cute and bubbly!

More importantly, that was the year I met my best friend - Lisa Winkler (yes, another Lisa, seems it was a popular name for my generation). Lisa and I became fast friends and were completely inseparable that year. In fact, we had become such good friends, that when my family moved back to Illinois, after my Father graduated that Spring, we stayed in touch writing letters to each other frequently for the next 10+ years.  You know, from little girl stuff,  like what we got for Christmas to - as we grew older - more important issues,  like boys! Oh yea, and reminding each other when our birthday's are (a little inside joke between us - btw, your birth date is on the back of the photos above ;) We had tried several times to get together and see each other, but each time it just didn't seem to work out.  Life marched on and we both went on to college - her to University of Wisconsin, Madison (which, by the way, my Grandfather went to, class of 1926 - this is just one of many coincidences and life overlaps that we have had) and me to Northern Illinois University.  The letters dissipated through those years and we eventually lost touch with one another. 

Fast forward to 2011 and after trying to find each other for many years (like the last 30 years), prior to internet resources (yes, we are that old) with no luck, I decided to give Facebook a try.  Earlier this year I took a series of courses on social media and one course focused on Facebook. Our first assignment was to search for somebody - who else would I pick? Lisa Winkler, of course! But, I wasn't very hopeful, since I didn't even know if she was married and had changed her name.  Three minutes later into that assignment, among the several other Lisa Winkler's around the world, there was my Lisa's profile picture looking exactly like she had in first grade!! I knew in an instant that was her, I had found my long lost bff Lisa W.!  I was so excited, having to cover my mouth to keep from screaming out,  I actually starting crying right there in class!  Needless to say, I emailed her immediately and waited for her reply.  That very day I heard back from her and the conversation hasn't stopped since!  We rambled a few updates via email and then by phone - after all we had over 40 years of catching up to do!  I felt an instant connection to her and truly it seemed that time had not changed a thing - we had only had a few more life experiences to share from the missing years.  I think I knew in just those few short conversations that we would pick up our friendship right where we left off. Time could have changed either or both of us and what a wonderful blessing to reconnect with someone and find a new best friend in your oldest best friend! 


We discussed getting together to see one another soon; as it turned out, Lisa would be coming to NYC in October and could I come see her? Could I? I wouldn't miss this for anything.  Look out NYC, the two Lisa's are coming your way.

Meeting again after 40 years !! Still cute and bubbly - I would have recognized her anywhere!

Our long-overdue reunion happened just last week and I'm still in amazement as to what we discovered about each other's lives. We both studied Journalism in school and worked for non-profits; our political views - albeit from different parties - are pretty much aligned; we both love the same TV shows and types of books/movies; we are both "thrifty" and enjoy experiencing new places via the subway (I feel so proud that we mastered that like natives!)...I could go on and on.... it's just what you think of when you think of a best friend (cue the sweet music and the shots of us laughing, hanging on each other's words and saying "oh my gosh, me too" a lot - really it was just like that)!  We were able to spend good quality time catching up and reminiscing, all while exploring the neighborhoods of NYC (we both love the city, even though we each currently live in small towns)  - how fun is that. We talked and talked and talked and it was like she had been in my life always; which, of course she had, always in my heart.  The bartender, Collin, at the wine bar where we sat and chatted for the evening - a wise ol' sage at the age of 20-something - said it best when we told him our story and how easily we picked up where we left off "You are your most authentic self when you are in first grade" - brilliant!! 

A true friend is one that is never lost or forgotten and when you are your authentic self with that friend time nor distance that passes between can't change that friendship, now I know that for sure. How absolutely blessed am I to have such a friend named Lisa W. (dot)  

The next 40+ years have only just begun......I think the adventures of the two Lisa's will write themselves.
    

Here's to pure friendship!!

Friends for a lifetime, catching up at Pastis in the meat packing district NYC
(so "Sex and the City" like)

Here's to pure Friends!

My Grandparents visiting us in Bloomington. That's Grandpa George who attended
University of Wisconsin.

My Grandpa George circa Class of 1926
University of Wisconsin