Belated Birthdays

Image credit: http://wishesmessages.com/belated-birthday-wishes-for-friends-late-birthday-messages/

Welcome to Week Three Circle of Friends Challenge hosted by Raili of soulgifts.  This week’s theme is Friendship and Gifting:

WEEK 3 Theme : Friendship and Gifting

Have you ever received a precious, priceless gift from a friend? Or given one yourself? What was it, and what made it so special? OR imagine gifting something priceless to a friend. What would you choose and why?

Stacy is one of my closest friends. Two years older than me, she is actually more like a big sister.  We attended the same high school, and we like to joke that I followed her to college, selecting the same course of study and pledging the same sorority.

Our friendship continued beyond college graduation, growing stronger over the years. We’ve celebrated one another’s successes (marriage, children, master’s degrees, promotions, etc.) as well as supported one another through life’s challenges.  No matter what happens, I know I can always count on my dear friend Stacy.

There is one area of our relationship in need of maintenance: BIRTHDAYS! We generally do not exchange gifts, but we do send cards to mark the occasion.  However, the cards are ALWAYS late!  Both Stacy and I conjure up a million and one excuses to explain why the day comes and goes while the card (purchased weeks in advance!) sits on the desk, in the car or in a purse, most times properly addressed and stamped, patiently awaiting it’s journey to the U.S. post office.  We always call one another on our actual birthday, and each year, the first few lines of the conversation goes something like this :

“Hel-lo!”

“Happy Birthday, Sweetie/Girl/Lady/Ma’am!”

“Thank You!”

“Your card is in the mail!” (immediately followed by a round of laughter)

Even our husbands tease us about our inability to mail our cards in a timely manner. The cards are always carefully selected and perfectly reflect our twenty plus years of friendship.  However, the sentiments are always belated 🙂