I Needed a Friend

I've been in a bit of a rut lately. Even a little down in the dumps. In a slump. Maybe even a little depressed from time to time. Jeff's job has been crazy with 16 hour days and a short switch to working a few nights. It was supposed to go back to normal this week, but that really didn't happen. Soon he'll be away on a business trip for a week. I've learned a lot about myself during this time "alone".

I like routine. structure. schedule. Without Jeff around to make supper for or to get up with in the morning, I've been so out of sorts. I don't sleep well when he's gone. I stay up as late as possible; I just don't like it when he's not here.

I learned that I miss him... a lot. He's my best friend. My confidant. My place to bounce ideas and just jabber about everything and nothing. He makes me laugh and he completes my life. I want him to be around and I look forward to his job returning to normal and spending time more time with him.

With Jeff gone, I also realized that I don't have any other close friends. I have acquaintances, a wonderful church family, and of course, I have you bloggy buddies, but no best girl-friend. No one nearby with similar interests or with kids that are the same ages as mine. No stay-at-home moms around here... and that makes a difference. (I'm not knocking working moms at all... it's just a different daily structure.)

The last friend I had lots in common with was over 3 years ago (Laurel). She moved. I moved. We keep in touch through our blogs and the occasional phone call, but it's just not the same as getting together and having a face-to-face conversation... ya know?

One night when Jeff was home, I told him, "I need a friend." He knew I wasn't meaning that he isn't enough of a friend and he realizes that sometimes a girl just needs a girl-friend. He is such a supportive and understanding man. I love him to pieces, but to be honest, my heart was just aching for a real-life close-by girl-friend. That night I prayed for a friend. Simply... a friend.

I met Rachel at my congregation's monthly Ladies' Night Out. She is the daughter-in-law to a lady from my congregation. She lives about 20 minutes from me and is a SAHM to 4 kids (ages 5,4,2 and 1 - three are boys). She and I hit it off immediately and found that we share so much in common. It's like she was the answer to my prayer. Oh, wait... she was! :)

She confided that she, too, had been needing a friend... Someone to share secrets and stories with. A person to trust. Moments to be more than just a mom or a wife.

I am so excited for my new friendship. I can't wait to get our kids together and have our husbands meet.

Hopefully once Jeff's job settles down I can find myself back in routine with an added extra bounce in my step for having found a friend!

How about you... Have you ever been "without" a friend? Have you ever just "clicked" with someone immediately? Tell me about your best friend ~ what do you like to do together?