Our Christian radio station in Houston is celebrating 30 years on the air. Every afternoon at 5:15 they have been playing a classic Christian song. Today’s pick was “Friends” by Michael W. Smith. It was released in 1983, but since my only exposure to Christian music at that time was hymns at church, it didn’t take me back to 1983. It didn’t even take me back to youth choir when I was in the 7th grade when we did the musical “Friends Forever”. Nope, this oldie-but-goodie took me back to 1994. Why? Well, mainly because the senior choir members of the Conroe High School Class of 1994 had a huge argument over our graduation anthem. We were split down the middle between “Friends” and “Pray for Me”. I voted for Friends. I honestly don’t remember which one we sang. I had kind of a lot going on that year.
1994 was the year…
I left home and went to college. Then there was the senior prom. Then high school graduation. In that order. My second beautiful niece was born on the day I graduated. My oldest nephew was conceived the next day. I said goodbye to my first love (as in I finally got over him). And my second (because he moved half a world away). My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. I saw her for the last time. I memorized the entire chapter of Proverbs 31. I finished my forward steps in GMA and earned the distinction of Sovereign Queen. I spent the summer in the Philippines. My life was changed forever there. I flew a plane. No, really, I did. I rode a four wheeler for the first time. Crazy I know. But after flying in a two-seat Cessna with another 19 year old, I was up for anything.
It was quite a year for this 18-turning-19 year old girl. With all of the excitement going on in that year, I would be hard pressed to tell you my favorite memory. There were lots of them. Does it matter though? Memories tend to fade over the years. True friends don’t. Friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them. It’s not just a cliché from an old song. It’s true.
There’s this one friend. We said goodbye that year. I was getting on a plane to go to the Philippines and by the time I got back he and his family would be settled in their new home in another state. I wrote him a letter and included the words to this song and attached my favorite picture of me. I cried for hours before I gave it to him. Miles have separated us for all of these years. Lots of miles and lots of life. Marriages. Births. Deaths. Divorce. He’s been my friend through it all. Years later he is still my best friend. Friends really are friends forever.
If this post is a little too sappy or introspective, don’t blame me. Blame KSBJ and their 5:15 flashback.
ps… I’m aware this post deserves lot’s of pictures with bad 90′s hair, but I can’t seem to find any from 1994. I’m on the hunt though, so I will update this if I find them.
