The Invisible String Theory: A Memoir to my Little Ladybug, Bethany
I often struggle to comprehend how it took so long for Bethany and I to find each other. Well, officially. We first met sixteen years ago, when I was in Kindergarten with her younger sister Sacha. Ever since then, we’ve run in parallels without even knowing it and one of my biggest regrets has been not becoming her best mate sooner.
We began working together in the town grocery story just shy of five years ago. Even then, it took us until about three years to actually talk to each other, and then another year after that for us to start hanging out outside of work.
Our friendship is like a cliche in a cheesy RomCom film — we wasted so many years at an oddly close distance. There’s been an invisible string tethered to the two of us that we finally felt the pull of around this time last year.
One whole year of spending nearly every day together, doing absolutely anything. Going to the movies, having weekly Sunday brunches, getting in trouble for laughing with each other too much at work, going to the creek — you name it, we’d do it. As long as it means we can do it together.
“Got some matching bracelets with Asha yesterday. I am so grateful for the friendship we have. I have never had any desire to have such a symbolic connection to someone who isn’t family. She means so much to me and I know we will be a part of each other’s lives for as long as we both live. Actually, we are gonna pull a ‘Notebook’ and die holding each other together. I love her so so much and never wish to part from her. I feel spiritually linked to her.” — An excerpt from Bethany’s journal that she sent me the other day (I’m not crying, you are).
Tonight, Bethany flies out for Heathrow, marking the beginning of her three month long solo Europe trip. I’m honestly not sure what I’ll do without my little ladybug. The two of us have mostly tried to ignore the fact she’ll be gone in just a few hours, but now I sit here, writing this with so much pride for my hilarious, fabulously creative and independent best friend.
I don’t know anyone more capable of taking on this challenge. No matter how scared she may be, I know she’ll absolutely have the time of her life overseas. I just wish I could tuck myself neatly into her backpack (fun fact: she’s borrowing it from my mother who took it overseas in the nineties — pretty cool, hey?) and follow her over there.
Bethany, I don’t really have a way with my spoken words, but one thing I do know how to do is write. Thank you for showing me what a true friendship looks like — one where we don’t compete with each other, where we celebrate each other’s successes and lift each other up. It’s impossible for anyone not to fall in love with your charm. I wouldn’t be shocked if you accidentally seduced a bunch of gloriously good-looking Europeans while you’re over there, you’re just that amazing.
I love you so so much. You haven’t even left yet but I already want my little ladybug to fly home to me. You’re the cheese to my macaroni, Paulie Bleeker. You’re my best buddy. Here’s to you, my friend.
