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Growing up, I had many friends.

But I had one very best friend.

Her name was Jenny, and I would have lived at her house if I could. We had sleepovers. We watched movies. We tried to save the princess. We went to Girl Scout camp. We worshipped the same boy band. We rode our bikes to the pool. We played kickball in the street. We once attempted to break the Guiness world record for time spent on a teeter-totter (yes, I was inspired by that episode of "The Brady Bunch"). We did EVERYTHING.

As we got older and entered jr. high, we started to grow apart. I was into sports and being involved. She was more low-key. We started circling in different groups.

By the time we got to high school, we never hung out. There was no ill will; we just didn't spend time together.

When I moved to Omaha in 2005, I was 25 years old. I'd just had a baby and I found out that Jenny lived just down the street. I also learned that she was pregnant.

We reconnected, and it was so nice.

Was it the same as when we were kids riding our bikes to the pool or playing soccer in the street or telling ghost stories in a tent in her backyard? No. But we had all that to draw on, to base our grown-up relationship on.

The conversation at book club Thursday night centered on friendship. Some of the moms spoke about how fortunate they are to have really great, close female companions. Some of the others touched on how much they want that but don't know how to find it.

Aside from Jenny, I have two friends who will be friends for life. I love them with all my heart. But we don't live anywhere near each other. Another close friend is moving nearby soon, and I'm more than excited about that. Beyond them, though (and they are all friends from high school), I've struggled to let my guard down enough to really connect with someone as an adult.

I am envious of those women who have friends who are so close they finish each other's sentences. Friends who are there for the births of their babies. Friends who get to see each other every day if they want.

What must that be like?

Maybe we should let our guards down more. Take a risk and ask that fellow mom if she wants to hang out. Could it be as simple as that?

posted by Veronica on Saturday February 27, 2010