“There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend.” Socrates
Once upon a time, long long ago, there was a young girl who left home and went to Bible college. She was shy and quiet, with dark brown hair. On her first day, she noticed another young girl, who was small and cute, with long brown hair. The shy girl wanted to get to know cute girl right away.
One day, shy girl was eating lunch when cute girl sat down beside her at the same table. Shy girl found out that the cute girl’s name was Joanna. Joanna started making conversation and somehow, very soon, found out that Shanda (the shy girl’s name) had a boyfriend. Joanna also had a boyfriend (her future husband) and this became their #1 common interest. Shanda was asked many questions that day about her relationship with Rich (who was her future husband). . . . . . . . . . .
In fact, when I look back on the year I spent in college–and remember my conversations with Joanna–I think most of them were about Steve and Rich. We were both convinced that we had met the men we were going to marry.
And we were right! After we graduated (from the 1 year Bible program), Joanna married Steve in July and I married Rich in September.
My firstborn, Jacob, was born the next year and that was when I wrote to Joanna for the first time. To my delight, she wrote back and our friendship was continued. Now we could write about marriage and babies.
I don’t know how these passed 13 years have gone by so quickly. Lots of changes have occured in our lives. But through it all, we’ve had 13 years of writing lots and lots of letters, then emails, some phone calls, sending packages in the mail, and some visits. Along the way we became the best of friends.
“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit.” Aristotle
There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about Joanna. There is something special about a friendship that grows slowly through letter writing. We share our hearts. Because I write and read her letters in private, the relationship is more personal. Each visit is a monumental one, something to look forward to, and something to celebrate with non-stop chatter, hugs, and photos.
We got to see each other this summer, on August 7. We met at a Crackerbarrel. I was so excited because I had not seen her in 3 years. I got there first and was writing on the “front porch” in a rocking chair when I saw her walking quickly up the sidewalk toward me. She looked so good. We hugged each other and immediatly started talking–and did not stop for 6 hours. After lunch we drove to Barnes and Noble and sat in the cafe. We looked at a magazine together, I had coffee, she had tea, we laughed and talked and looked at our cameras. We went over to look at the journals–and I discovered that she really really loves a good journal–we browsed through them for quite a while and we both bought the same one. We will use them as our nature journals.
still cute!
Taking her back to Crackerbarrel to her vehicle was sad. The visit was over. As we both drove out of the parking lot, I cried. I felt totally drained (in a good way!) and very satisfied with our visit. We still had chemistry–our friendship was still everything I thought it was.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that Joanna and I will always be friends, always. I will always love her. She means so much to me. . .by the way, she’s the reason why I started blogging. I didn’t even know what it was until she started her blog here on xanga and begged me to join in on the fun.
The best thing about the story of “us” is that there is no end. We will dance through life together and then share eternity together in heaven. Our friendship has a “happily ever after”. And maybe my mansion will be right next to hers.
Good to be Home 
What a beautiful story about a beautiful friendship.
a special, precious tribute ~
Such friends are true gifts from God.
Looks like you had a wonderful time together!! I agree, what a gift from God.
what did you study in college??? I was just wondering.
Blessings
Such a blessing!
Thanks for making me cry. š I’m thinking of the wonderful friendships I have, and I’m thinking about how much I treasure my new xanga pals. I am so thankful for this outlet and this way to connect with people. I am completely jealous that you guys get to see each other once in a while. I’d really love to see the both of you…even if I get nervous. I hope your day is blessed. Thank you for your wonderful post.
You two will be talking about your grandkids together over coffee someday, or over the phone the way my friend of “thirty-odd” years and I did last night! neat huh? love you, M in SC
Friends like that are a real blessing. š
You and all of your friends are adorable, you are all like flowers in a garden, different in special ways but oh so pretty! Enjoying the entries on friendship Blessings!
What a beautiful tribute to your friend! I especially like the part about your friendship having no end. The thought of spending eternity in Heaven with loved ones is so special to me! Thank you for sharing this.
What a beautiful post and tribute to Joanna! No friend is like the friend you have in a sister or brother in Christ–you can qoute me on that! :>) Love, Lish
that is so neat!
She must be so touched to read what you’ve written from your heart. And she’s still so very cute!
oh, I just LOVED this post. Partly because I love Joanna so much and partly because I love close friendships. What a blessing our sisters in Christ can be!! My favorite line is “…maybe my mansion will be right next to hers.” My mansion better be on the other side, because Joanna and I are sure to be right next door in glory!! š
Juls comment made me laugh, it was my favorite line as well! Your mansion will be all Country home magazine-ish, (British edition)!
Thank you for this post Shanda Banda, it was a beautifully wrapped gift!
Precious post ~ like the previous one. I am enjoying this “friendship theme” and am reminded of dear friends in my life. I love the way you express things, like your anticipation of continuing friendship through eternity with Joanna. If friendship can be this good on earth, imagine what fellowship will be like in heaven with all the saints!
What a very very precious post! š
for somereason I started to cry as I came to the end of your post…no words, just heartfelt emotion for something so beautiful
Shanda…this post was exactly what Jo said it was…a beautifully wrapped gift. I loved seeing the photos of the two of you and I had hoped this visit would be all you wished for. Nothing like it….a visit with a kindred spirit.
BTW – Love that bag she was carrying…
:o)
What a wonderful post! What a wonderful friendship — you are blessed!
Blessed are those who find such a friend………I have one and feel very blessed. We found each other in first grade…..we communicate often, although we live on opposite sides of the world. We know we’ll spend eternity together……..I’m happy for you.
FRIENDSHIP WHAT A BLESSING FROM GOD , SO GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO SPEND SOMETIME TOGETHER MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP TOGETHER ALWAYS,
SANDY
A lovely post about a beautiful friendship. I have several good friends, each beginning at a different phase of my life, but all equally special friendships. And each time I visit with one of them it brings back many wonderful memories. I will treasure these friendships always — as will you!
I enjoyed catching up on your site. My favorite of the past few days – your daughter and little guy reading. I love his expression on the second picture.
i love the pictures of her laughing! so sweet. you are very blessed to have a friend like her =)
RYC: I am sure your life is a sweet aroma to all who know you!
i love to read your friendship blogs!!
Please tell Joanna thank you for the daily inspiration YOU put into my life since she’s the one that got you blogging. š
What a true blessing of friendship. I am so happy that God put Joanna in your life and that you have remained dear friends through the years. So wonderful and special. Thanks for sharing your special day of friendship with us.
Shanda,
I really hope you write a book someday…I really do. Or at least a collection of short stories. Your writing makes me feel like I am right there with you.
Please?……. š
Sweet friend, this post put a smile in my heart.
What a blessing to have such wonderful friendships!