Because I Knew You

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you...

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part. So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend:

Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you: I have been changed for good.

-from Wicked, the musical (song in the sidebar if you want to hear it!)


You always made me feel good about myself. That I shouldn't doubt my talent, it was real. I had a new-found confidence that has stuck with me, in one way or another, throughout my life. Because I knew you.

You weren't in my life for very long, taken before your time. I miss you and the laughter you would bring to any room. And the pictures you would let me take of you, even though at six years old I had no idea how to work a camera. That childish smile lives on in me. Because I knew you.

You taught me to be myself. Stand up for what I believe in. Not to conform because I thought I should. But to be different because I could. That has forever been instilled in me. Oh, and the fact that I'm liberal. Because I knew you.

You were my best friend. I learned from you the ultimate life lesson: sometimes people grow up and out of each other at the same time. I miss you, but I know that if we were to become friends again it would never be the same as it was. But I look back on our hundreds of sleepovers, "Be Fri" and "St Ends" necklaces and realize my life at that time couldn't have been any better. Because I knew you.

Unbeknownst to you, you taught me the most about love. Or rather, how different what I have now is from what I had with you. Immature vs. mature love. I never thought I would carve initials in a tree trunk. I mean really, so cliché right? But I did. Because I knew you.

You brought out a work ethic in me never to be seen again. Part guilt, part pride. What would have been a job to anyone else, was a home away from home for me. Even in the mundane parts of life, you showed me how to have fun. And I still do. Because I knew you.

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With you, I can be myself. No makeup, my favorite Adidas hoodie and windpants, or a new black print dress, cable knit tights and stilettos. When I have my blonde moments and claim that antipasto salad has pasta in it, or when I blow you away with my brilliance on a few Jeopardy questions. When I can't stop giggling at your Bruce Willis jokes, or when I'm crying and scared and just need you to make it better. You love me no matter what. And I couldn't be happier. Because I know you.