So, I have this friend...We had a chance to meet for lunch this last week and I was thinking about her today adding up how long we have been friends. Then of course, our history started playing back to me, in my mind. We met in 6th grade. I had just moved back into the neighborhood after a short year away where I attended another school. So I was the "new" but not so new student that day. Mrs. Cain (our teacher), asked Simone,( my now friend) to "show me around and be my buddy". Well, I don't really remember many specific things about that particular day, except instantly knowing Simone was going to be my best friend and I think we both had on a button down oxford shirt with a ribbon through the collar tied in a bow in the front. We were so cool! We later discovered, that we had the same shoes (navy blue lace up vans), wore the same size shoe and were the same height. 5'8 or was it 5'6". Either way, tall for the 6th grade. She had a blue Shwinn beach cruiser that she rode to school, and because we lived on opposite sides of the school, we would meet up somewhere around the bike racks. I'll never forget one day, a fellow sixth grade girl that we knew...Amber Greenwood, rode up on her bike, sporting a new "Charlie's-Angles-Farrah-Faucett haircut." I swear it was like slow motion, her hair was blowing in the wind as she coasted into her spot at the bike racks. She was down right beautiful, I remember thinking to myself. I'm not sure if we said anything out loud but I believe Simone and I froze with our jaws on the ground while we watched her every move as she was locking up her bike. We soon snapped out of our trance and if I remember right... looked at each other and laughed out loud... and maybe silently decided we both hated her. I know I did. She really was a nice girl... but you know how it is.
Simone laughed a lot. Not a quiet laugh either. A real, hearty, genuine, infectious, belly laugh. I think I loved that about her. She was carefree, intuitive, silly, yet serious all in one. Did I mention she was super artistic? We had "art class" back then, and our art teacher...(she would totally remember her name, but I can't think of it right now) would come into our class and make us paint pictures or do something I completely stunk at. And Simone's was always beautiful. I remember thinking to myself during those days, that I would never be an artist. I knew what looked good... and I couldn't make something look good to save my life. I admired her stylish handwriting too. It was so "artsy" and neat and uniform. She had a hand written schedule on her desk of what hours of the day we had math, science, english, music, etc. I totally remember thinking to myself that...WOW, I didn't even realize we had a routine. I just thought it was all haphazard. funny. She was so much more aware.
We had loads of fun in 6th grade. The boys typically chased us around the back field and seems like we played kick ball or something. One of Simone's loafers use to always fly off her foot. I remember one time throwing it into the boys bathroom so she would have to go in and get it. It actually had landed in the toilet. She said it had something else floating along side it, too. We had a great "oh that is so disgusting" laugh. She later got me back by checking a book out in my name at the library and tossing it in the lake. Nice. Didn't find out about that one until we were adults. Recess always ended too soon, but luckily class time was equally fun.
We took after school sign language lessons and learned how to silently talk during class! Genius, I say! Of course this was way back in the prehistoric days, way before text messaging and cell phones. My Mom remembers us doing it at home too, it used to make her feel so self conscious. I can't possibly understand why...we would sign, then laugh hysterically with her in the room. She says we were nuts. We were. We decided at some point that we wanted to be more matching so there were these shoe laces that had designs on them. Mine had maui whales... totally preppy and quite cool back then and hers had rainbows, too, very cool. So we traded one shoelace...one of mine for one of hers. Her Mom got such a kick out of this and told us it was like we were "going steady". We thought that was gross but didn't switch back for some time. We totally liked the same boy. His name was Jim Denson. He wore button down oxford shirts too..pink even; and plaid Bermuda shorts.
It all came to an abrupt end a little before the end of the year, when to my horror, their family decided to move to Sacramento. I remember laying down on my mom's bed the next morning telling her I didn't want to go to school without Simone there. Who would I sit with at lunch? I'd probably end up having to sit by Andy Lapaige. He was the guy everyone gave their hot lunch spinach too as they left the lunch tables. Kids were pretty mean to him. Simone never bought lunch. We both brought. Hers was handmade treats and specialty glass bottled apple juices... Her mom totally subscribed to Sunset magazine! Mine was a canned fruit cup, and Doritos, a capri sun and ....um.... I'm trying to remember having a sandwich. I remember I always had suzie Q's or Ding-Dongs and would always bring an extra one for her. I wanted her lunch and typically she wanted all the store bought stuff in mine. Life was good until she was gone.
Simone and I in front of Mrs. Cain's classroom. This was on Simone's last day of school in 6th grade. Those shoes she has on... those are the toilet shoes! And the t-shirt I have on was her going away gift to me.
Our parents allowed us to fly alone to visit each other. She spent a week with us and I spent a week with them. Now that I think about it, that was really cool of them. Humpf. I don’t think I’m that cool of a parent. On my first trip up to Sacramento to visit Simone’s family, we went to Sequoia National Park. We camped with something like 4 other lds families from Irvine. (That is where I lived.) We ate graham crackers, green grapes and monterey jack cheese on the ride there. Funny the things you remember when you are a kid. But to this day, I love eating those things together. I’m not sure Simone’s little sister enjoyed the ride there. She spent most of the time hanging out the car window throwing up… must have been carsick. Aside from Madeline throwing up, it was great trip. We learned all about giant Sequoias, swept our tent out a lot, hiked amongst the trees, and sang silly songs around the camp fire (some I recognize now from girls camp). One I particularly remember being about a grandma swinging on the bathroom door. But, The most pronounced memory of all, is the scones. One evening Simone’s Aunt made scones with homemade jam. Simone and I each ate like 17 or 18 of them. Needless to say, we spent the rest of the night moaning in our tent or complaining to one another over the stalls in the campground bathroom. Good times.
I attended my first sacrament mtg in King’s Canyon that summer. I don’t have any specific memories. Just remember how beautiful it was there in the trees and the feelings of peace and happiness I felt.
Simone and I had our first disagreement while I was visiting that summer. Neither one of us can remember what it was about. But we’ll both never forget me telling her that she thought she was so great because she had a perfect family. What a thing to say! We were both crying and she later shared with me, in the temple as she was about to be sealed, that her dad told her the day of that disagreement, that someday I would have an eternal family of may own and not to take offense. Phillip and I had been sealed in the same temple just a few months before. It was such a blessing to have been able to attend her sealing that day. We cried together realizing how amazing it was to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives.
Thats me on the left, Simone's Dad in the middle, and Simone on the right. In front of a giant Sequoia
Simone and I. Sacramento trip the following summer.
Simone visiting me at my 8th grade graduation, with our friend Haley.
To my total surprise and joy, Simone’s family moved back during our freshman year in high school. And not just to the same city but on my street! Just 10 houses down! I can’t remember a more happy time. I screamed all the way up the stairs, then back down the stairs, then back up the stairs. I didn’t know quite what to do with myself and the fabulous news! There is so much I could say about this time in my life. I won’t. I will just say that Heavenly Father’s hand was in this. I am certain of it.
Simone and I on our way to a youth dance. She is actually wearing my clothes. It's the outfit I wore the night I met Phillip.
Simone and I picked right up where we left off. By the end of that school year we had attended many church dances, one of which, I met Phillip. Just 3 months later he was off to Ireland on his mission. I attended the last week of seminary. Then, attended the 4th of July celebration at UCI where, amazingly enough, I met the missionaries. (Simone's Dad happened to be the ward mission leader, at the time...lol.) Then she asked if I would like to take the missionary discussions. Without hesitation I said yes and within 3 weeks my mom and I both, were baptized. Simone's Dad baptized me. All I can say, is that it felt like I had come home. That was July 31st 1986 and I can truly say was thee absolute best thing I have ever done in my life!
Moments after my baptism, with Haley, Simone and Simone's little sisters.
Jr. year
Simone's Wedding day. LA temple Aug 1990.
So, it's been 25 years. We aren't the same height or exchange shoelaces anymore and we have weathered living in separate states many times now. But, we have been blessed to share in each other's joys, heartache, accomplishments and setbacks of married life and raising 4 crazy kids each. I'm thankful for her and her good life and that has shared with me a foundation that changed my life forever.
After 2 kids each. 1996
lunch. This last week. Oct. 2008
