As I flip through my photo album, memories engulf my heart and mind. I flashback to the first day of my Catholic education.
I peered into the first grade classroom. Thirty-six eager eyes glanced towards me. Tears flowed as my mother left me standing by the book bag hooks. "Hi!" Lauren said. I gazed into the bright brown eyes of my classmate. My desire to make a friend overtook the tears and I returned the greeting with a smile. From that moment on, Lauren and I became inseparable. Every moment of my elementary and junior high education held a place for her. She instantly became a member of my family, and I, hers. Our parents assumed that just about every weekend involved a sleepover. Our trips to the grocery store with either of our parents, always brought the question, "Are you two twins?" After awhile I found myself saying, "Yes.".
My reminiscing brought me back to our trips to the zoo, our great girl scout camp, Halloween costumes, birthday parties, and our favorite pastime, writing plays. We would create plays about a technically advanced space world. After critiquing them, we would perform them on the swing set for our families. We were joined at the hip, as though God had super glued us together that first day we met. She drove me to achieve all I had aspired to accomplish.
Then we went to different high schools. We tried to maintain our friendship, and you would think it would have been possible since we were so close; but slowly we drifted apart. We were so used to being together under the same conditions, same hopes, fears, and dreams. We thought we would be best friends forever, and maybe we will be. Who else is going to be creating those plays with her? We are twin sisters, right? Our friendship was like the Titanic; hard to sink and harder to raise back up. Lauren was the best friend I ever had. Losing the bond between us was like a wound that would not heal; something that you just have to deal with.