IDK, My BFF Maria?

I have been meaning to blog about one of the most fabulous people, friends, humans...that I know for awhile now.

My best friend Maria.

This girl is one of the biggest hugest blessings that i've ever had the honor of knowing. There are those friends that you have that are very natural and comfortable- she is that, and then some.

Then there are those friends who you meet, and over time, develop a bond with and one day ask yourself, what would I do without __________(you fill in the blank)

There are friends you've had forever, friends you've had for a season, friends you'd rather not have...the list goes on.

Maria knows me like no one else does. Where others make assumptions, judgements and criticisms of me, Maria sees what goes on behind the scenes. She knows the Jaime no one else does, and she truly exhibits unconditional love, and acceptance.

It's ironic, really, our friendship. Maria actually was my little sisters best friend growing up, and even I can admit that I often thought of her as a little pest who always seemed to be around when I wanted to do "grown-up" things with my friends.

Did you ever have that conversation with one of your friends, trying to figure out when exactly you became friends? I normally can't remember, but with Maria, I can tell you the exact moment, day, time and location. We were in New York City for New Years in 2005. We spent an entire week together, talking about anything and everything. From that trip on, Maria and I have talked every single day, at least once, most days multiple times. The only exception to that is when she lived in Cambodia for three months, and even then, we managed to IM eachother several times a week.

Maria and I can spend hours together, sometimes not even talking. There is just a comfort and ease to our friendship. I could call her any time of day or night and literally know, that if I needed her, she would drop whatever she was doing to help me. She has seen me through some of the hardest times in my life, has laughed with me, cried with me, told me jokes, surprised me, been brutally honest with me--all values that make me so thankful that she is my best friend.

Proverbs says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." My best friend Maria, she is truly one in a million. I am so thankful to have her in my life.