“Friendship is the thread God uses to stitch joy into the fabric of our lives.”
Once upon a time—because all good stories begin that way—there lived three vivacious little girls. Born in different states, each just months apart in age, these girls grew up blissfully unaware that anything was missing from their lives. When their paths finally crossed, they had no idea how profoundly those friendships would shape their lives.
Their friendship began around their twelfth trip around the sun. From that moment on, life was filled with beribboned ponytails, fluffy cheerleader pom-poms, cute boys, scary slasher movies their parents warned them about, summers at the base pool, Saturday morning matinees, and youth center dances, bicycle rides to the mini-mart, and uncontrollable giggle fits. They shared everything—secrets, laughter, fears, and dreams.
But a few short years into their friendship, the inevitable happened—as it often does for military families. One of them had to move to another state. There were tearful goodbyes, runny noses, tight hugs, and heartfelt promises to stay in touch—promises they kept.
This was before cell phones and the internet, so they relied on the good ol’ United States Postal Service and the occasional long-distance phone call (with parental permission, of course, since those weren’t cheap!). Fortunately, they were excellent letter-writers, and their handwritten notes became lifelines. They stayed connected through high school graduations, college years, marriages, babies, miscarriages, divorce, the loss of a spouse, and the death of a parent—all the highs and lows life could offer.
Eventually, their letters gave way to emails, then social media posts, and now frequent text messages and video chats. Technology changed, but their connection never did.
For over forty years, these three women—now living in different states—haven’t just kept in touch; they’ve remained present, not only in messages but in meaningful moments. There have been countless reunions:
- an international visit to the friend living in Italy,
- a home-state trip to South Carolina, where it all began,
- a newlywed celebration in Idaho to meet a new husband,
- and year after year, running meetups in Dayton, Ohio.
They still faithfully exchange Christmas and birthday gifts every single year.
And the real thread that ties them together? Their shared love for Jesus. Just as when they were giggly girls, they still share their hopes, dreams, disappointments, and prayers—anchored in faith and lifted up with love. There’s something uniquely comforting in knowing that a praying friend is just a text or video chat away.
God knew exactly what He was doing when He orchestrated the meeting of three military brats who would become lifelong friends.
Some friendships aren’t just for a season—they’re for a lifetime… and beyond.
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”