Ponyboy and Sodapop....aka Nicole and Shellie

When I was 10 years old my family had moved from a country style area, where the neighbour's were few and far between; to a small street in the city. Young, scared but excited, I didn't know what to expect. I'm not sure if I met Nicole on the first day we moved onto Rowanwood Street or if it was within the first week. (I'd bet my life that she would be able to tell when we first spoke, what I was wearing and if it had been a cloudy day!! She is just good like that! haha) However, I do remember being taller than her; her blonde hair and blue eyes where a sharp contrast to my red hard and green eyes....And I remember that we became Best Friends instantaneously. The kindred similarities between us was always fun..It was always something new... Our birthdays are one day and one year apart. I'm the older, wiser one of course! ( ok, ok... I may as well be honest, since I will most likely be called out on any mistreats...She is very WISE!! Ok Happy now Nic? LOL) Our tastes in music were the same. *NOTE* I said "were". LOL... Nic is a country gal now!!

We only lived 2 doors down from each other, but Nicole was a constant presence in our house. We had more sleepovers than I can count. Every sleepover, the nights were filled with laughter, to the point of tears. My goodness the things that we did! From writing love letters to the boys in the neighborhood (of course signing other peoples names.. hehe) to playing hide 'n" seek in my house, blind mans bluff in my bedroom, the Lemonade stands, the bike rides and getting lost on purpose...just to see if we could find our way back..To playing chase around the block, and yes to the emergency room when I cut my leg on those tracks....LOL.....And of course to our Michael Jackson collections. We had the best times, the best laughs.

When I entered grade 7 (or was it 8?) my parents moved yet again. This time we moved up to the mountain, which at that young age, it seemed as if we were moving to another country. We saw each other as much as we could and when Nic's mom allowed her... she would come up and spend the weekends with me. I remember sometimes having to take the bus all the way down there to pick her up, because her mom wouldn't let her take the bus by herself...LOL... I introduced her to the new friends that I had met; Brett, Dana, Rob, Larry and Ken. Without effort we all became pretty good friends. Since I had started highschool, Nic and I did drift a part for a while, We still spoke but not as often..And I missed her desperately. But it just happened. Nicole joined me at the same highschool the following year and once again we became close. Inseparable really. Her weekends were spent up at my house with Brett and the other boys. We had great times...Driving in the Jimmy with the boys....drives to Kings Forest so we could take long walks, going to Zoo's pizzeria to pick up Rob after work. Hehe.

What I love about Nic the most, is her honesty. She is the most honest person that I know. I mean really...That's how she works. She always, always calls it like she sees it. If I was acting like a jerk...she would call me out on it. If I was doing something that she didn't like or knew I would regret in the morning...she would tell me. She saw so much in me that I didn't even realize. And regardless of the shitty mistakes that I have made or things that I have done without thinking...She was always there when I needed her. And I was there, when she needed me.

23 years later, we still have a laugh or two about our past. It's different now, being all "grown up". Or is it? Everything has changed. We live in different provinces/countries. Our children. Our lives. The only constant is our friendship. Which is in command every time we talk. It just happens. Months, years can pass but when the connection is finally made..Everything but our friendship has changed. Maybe it's because of the time that has past and the growth that we individually have made. The losses we have experienced... Each in our own way; we have learned to appreciate the people..the relationships that we each have. You have always been my best friend, the ambassador of all my secrets, indiscretions; all of my mistakes and triumphs. You know me better that anyone. And anyone who knows me...LOL...knows who you are. Even if you haven't met them personally, they have all heard about you. They know you are my best friend and I know whatever life throws at us...You always will be. I love ya Nic....Forever and always.

From playing chase, to frosting fights, to the Mtn Brow, to Brett, Dana , Rob and through Dennis and the Party pit, to Michael Jackson and the HUGE battery pack that used to stick out on the side of your head when you wore the Lighted Michael Jackson Visor (I was so jealous...my visor didn't light up.....Now? Not so jealous..haha) to the letters, and the Christmas cards, the 'snail mail' novels that I would write, to email, and messenger....You are still and always be my favorite Nickel. CHOW FOR NOW...I GOTTA PLOW...