"Women Who Wear Blak Lead Colorful Lives"

#BreeBaresAll -- A Girl's Best Friend

Despite what everyone says diamonds are NOT a girl’s best friend.  A girl’s best friend can be her brother, sister, mother, or father.  It could also be, as in my case, the girl you sat beside in History in eighth grade.  The girl you became friends with because you knew it could go one of two ways.  The first way, you guys would be friends. The second way, she would hate your guts and make your life a living hell. 

That girl, the one who would either be my friend or make my life hell, is my best friend Brandi.  We became friends when we were eleven and are still friends at the age of twenty-two.  I literally told her that I knew when we got sat beside each other in that eighth grade class that she was a force to be reckoned with.  

Now, I’m realizing as I write this that we have been friends for over a decade.  It is so hard to even begin to tell you what all we have went through.  The number of heartbreaks we have helped each other through is startling.  Our first loves, which broke us, were met with tears, hugs, ice cream, and partying.  Medical emergencies have been dealt with throughout our friendship. First kisses, first times, birthdays, and deaths.  We have been through so much together it is ridiculous.  Nothing has driven us apart for more than a couple weeks.  They say once you’ve been friends with someone for seven years, you’ll be friends for life.

I can honestly say, that outside of my family, Brandi is one of my biggest protectors.  She would do anything to keep someone from hurting me.  Proof of this is the threat she gave my first boyfriend. And I quote “If you hurt her, I swear to God, I will cut your balls off and bury you in my back yard.”  It definitely scared the crap out of him when she said it too.  I swear I almost pissed myself I was laughing so hard.  My little five foot nothing best friend just scared the shit out of my six foot something boyfriend.  It was soo funny.

I also have another best friend.  My Mama. 

             

   

She is the one person who has continuously been there for me no matter what.  I definitely took her for granted when I was younger, but now I don't know what I would do without her.  She would rather do without than have me do without.  I can (and have) called her at three in the morning drunk, because I twisted my knee and hurt it.  I’ve called her crying my eyes out over a boy. No matter what the circumstances, my Mama always has the best advice. 

She is someone that I should really listen to more often.  She tries to help me learn from her mistakes, but that usually doesn’t work.  And when I make the same mistake that she warned me about, she doesn’t say I told you so.  She helps me figure out how to fix it and deal with it. Literally I could not function without this woman in my life and I don’t know what I would do without her.

Recently, I have made some new friends.  They are the ladies here at the New Blak.  I have had so much fun working on the new project with them.  If I am having problems, I know that I can call them and they will give me their best advice.  I trust them with just about anything, from school to family and boys.  I know that they only want what is best for me. 

So, my advice today is, find your best friend and listen to your mama.  It doesn’t matter if you have one best friend or five.  As long as you know that your best friend will bail you out of jail or answer your call at midnight, you have a good one.  You need to appreciate your best friend and your mama as well.  They will love you like no one else ever has.  Also, if you can find a group of friends that love what you love, don’t take them for granted.  Enjoy what you have in common and take advantage of it!!