They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. That it brings two hearts closer.
I believed in those simple statements with great enthusiasm until that same distance became a huge part of my life.
At the beginning of this year, my best friend of eleven years moved to Charlotte NC. Six hours from where I stand.
It came as a shock to both she & I, as we had always dreamed of going on double dates together, when we can finally drive, go on Starbucks study sessions throughout collage.
We met when we were five year old, crazy little girls. It was my families first time at KPC & being the Paster's daughter, she quickly showed me all the ropes of the church. & boy did we get into trouble.
Sleepovers with Hannah were the bestest things. EVER. The Atwood's had a beautiful wooden home that always smelled like heaven. We would usually start the day off by dressing up in "fancy" clothes & putting on WAY too much makeup. We'd then proceed to run outside & act like we were in a movie. Usually something like this:
H: "here. You propose, & I'll practice my surprise face!"
M: "okay!!... *clears throat*.. Hannah?"
H: "no no, Mary! You have to say my full name! It's more romantic that way. ;)"
M: "oh. Right! DUH."
M: *gets down on one knee*
H: *gasps*
M: "Hannah Grace Atwood, I'm madly in love with you! I don't want to spend one day without you by my side. Will you marry me?!"
H: *fake cries* "oh honey! Of course I will! Yes!!!"
Either that, or:
H: "I'm the princess, & your my faithful maidservant! WE MUST FIND PRINCE DANIEL!"
(Take into mind that Daniel was her older brother)
M: "come come princess Penelope!! We must hurry before it's too late! The prince is waiting!!!"
Yes, those sleepovers were the best. I never thought I could miss someone this much. Some people think it's not that big of a deal because she's only six hours away, but we were close. We are close.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder? Nah. Distance pulls the strings of your heart. It makes you ache for the company of the one you can't be with.
But Is distance the end of the world? No. That's when Jesus shows his grace. His peace.
You see, Jesus was there when Han & I were playing dress up, when we got in trouble for climbing up to her roof to suntan, when we cried & vented to each other at 2 am. He knows us. Our friendship is dear to him.
So even though distance has separated me from my bestest friend, Jesus is constant. He's always there. He's never leaving. He fills.
Thank you, father.
