My most loved grade 8 classmate,
I’ve long called you that and have always promised to, one day, tell you the story of that designation, since really, we haven’t shared any classes growing up. Well, today is that day gorgeous girl. I love you, and I want you to know that.
Somewhere between Steelcaps and Uggs I learnt that not everyone I know would be happy with my journey, some, in fact, would be very unhappy with the change. It made me scared of loosing people and therefore hesitant of being my newfound self openly. I was given an analogy to give me hope, or at least, that was what I took from it. That, and well, your nickname.
I should look at my journey like going through school, it was suggested: I learn, I progress, and when I’m ready, I’ll graduate one class and start another. Now, unlike real school, the analogy went on, in this school of life everyone gets to choose their classes and when, or if, they want to graduate and start the next. So some of the classmates I had been hanging out with in steel capped boots would not join me on my path. They might choose different classes, choose to leave for different schools or choose to stay in the class we were in together for so many decades. Leaving them behind would be scary and sad, but there is also the fact that when I walk into that next classroom, there are already people in there that I will get to know. My grade 8 classmates, who would like where I am and where I’m headed.
At that point, lightly teary, I smiled and felt a little relief. Because right then your name was the first thing that popped into my head: I already knew a grade 8 classmate! How amazing!
You are such a gorgeous, amazing precious woman and I love you.
I love how you bring purpose and intention to all you do, it is so beautiful to behold.
You are brilliantly observant and coined one of my favourite lines “No excuses for shitty behaviour”, I use it all the time, always crediting my grade 8 classmate.
You successfully pull off living in a 300 soul village and at the same time you can backpack through Japan by yourself. I love that and I seriously admire that skill. You have a ravenous appetite for life in the best sense. It is awe-inspiring to be around. And you have people skills I can still only dream about.
Our crazy box conversations? I love them. I love that you have a crazy box as well and I love that we can share the contents. Talks like that are rare and valuable and I do treasure them dearly.
Oh, and your kiddo! I have no words for how much I love seeing you two together. For how much I adore the presence you bring into your relationship with her, right from the start. I feel so privileged to be privy to that.
You were the first person I ever told about going to a councillor and the first to know about this blog. You are also the only one I was not even a little afraid to tell. I was actually quite excited to share this with you. It makes me smile wildly to remember that. You are the one I think of when big and meaningful things happen.
You took me in, without hesitation and with such grace that my grade 5 self at the time felt comfortable to accept the help. It was so healing and nourishing to be surrounded by your little family and I am ever so grateful for that. Not only the shelter back then, but the wholehearted and effortless inclusion you always extend to me.
I don’t know if you are still asking yourself why we ever became friends like you used to wonder some years back, but if you do – all this here, this is it.
You are journeying yourself. Never standing still, always open to explore new ways, try new things improve on yourself. Not afraid to call BS on a friends but also willing be called out yourself. I could not have put it into those words back then, but that is the essence of what made me want to get to know you. And it is what makes me think that we will be grade 80 classmates. How is that for setting goals?
With so much love and the biggest, warmest, sincerest and most loving embrace,
S
Steel Caps to Uggs 