birthdays on the other side of the country

on the west coast today my friends are celebrating their birthdays
they are married
and were born on the same day (one year apart)
we all met, almost 15 years ago, in vermont.

and it struck me several weeks ago, when talking about these friends, how long they have been a part of my life. when i met them i had two types of friends: ones from my childhood and ones from my "adulthood". but what i am realizing now is that these two particular "adulthood" friends entered my life before i was actually an adult...and that it was almost half my lifetime ago.

i am grateful that we were all drawn that summer to vermont
i am grateful for the the years we all lived in new york at the same time
i am grateful that i got to explore this big beautiful country with a friend who taught me so much about myself, but more importantly, about friendship.

i miss you (both) and i raise a glass in honor of this especially special day.