Having never been so hungover in my life, I stepped into the cafe to find a bathroom where I could splash some water on my face. I was met with a wall of people that I tried to slip past, a task proven difficult while carrying a duffel bag. I bumped into two girls who revealed themselves to be familiar faces, and a wave of relief flooded my senses. Despite being in a different city and not having seen each other for weeks, it was as if I had seen you yesterday and we were just meeting for breakfast on any casual weekend. Love is often felt in this way. We waited outside for our last friend to join us. While the rest of the world melted away at the sight of my friends, my hangover did not, and I gulped at the delicious, brisk fall air. Leaves fell around us, and we chatted about our ever-changing lives. New jobs, new shoes, new worries and joys. All things best shared among old friends. At last, the fourth member of our crew was spotted crossing the street and we rejoiced at the sight of her.
I often know I am with my soulmates when we are retreating to the mountains. A long winding road carried us up into the rainforest. The sight of the ocean and faraway peaks transformed into a lush green understory of ferns and moss under pines watching us dart past in a little green car. We parked in a campsite and made our way deeper into the forest. As concrete changed to dirt that squished slightly beneath our feet, I felt a shift. Time was slowing down. Love is often felt in this way. Your voices behind me stopped to greet plants and mushrooms. Asking their names, complimenting their colors. I greeted some of them with a silent touch. Light raindrops kissed our rain jackets, but we took little notice. A pacific wren hopped along in front of us, reminding me of another small brown bird we know in another rainforest far away. As we travelled on, I wished I had brought a snack, and we began to imagine soup in our near future. The drizzle grew, and soon our pants were wet with rain. As I tried to avoid mud puddles, I travelled back in time to when our friendship was still new and we hiked in the rain together then too, colder and hungrier than we were now. How much in our lives has changed since then. Yet the intimacy we have shared has stayed the same. You who have seen the worst and ugliest of me (this weekend not excluded) and have remained by my side all the same. This desperate feeling for you to know that I would do so too must be love.
It is dark and night has fallen. I have bothered someone yet again for a charger, and Serena continues to help me nurse the eye that I infected by falling asleep in my makeup. There is no doubt in my mind that I have been a little bit of a brat all weekend, and I chalk it up to the safe feeling of having older sisters around. I’ve never had sisters, but when I am around you, I feel jealous towards those who have known what this is like their whole lives. We all four crawl into the same bed and joke about who is Meg and Amy and Beth and Jo. My flight is early, yet I am fighting sleep in order to share as many moments as we have left, for our time together is always as sweet and buttery as the many pastries we have shared. When the time finally comes to say goodbye, we are all reluctant. But we give our hugs and I fall asleep knowing I will see you again and it will be as if we never parted. Until then I will miss you dearly and carry with me the comfort of knowing you. Love is often felt in this way.
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