There's an old saying that once you have been friends with someone for seven years that you are stuck with them for life, and while some might not particularly be fond of this old wives tale or believe it to be true, I find it to be very accurate.
We all have that one friend that comes into our lives for one reason or another and once you've met, you can't imagine how you ever lived without them.
I met "my person" (in the words of Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey), my freshmen year of high school all thanks to our track team. Although we were not friends in the beginning by any means, seven years later she has become my rock and the most steadfast friend I have ever had.
But, I digress. It took many months for us to even call each other friends and admit to us enjoying each other's company because, in the beginning, we were rivals.
The first time we met I was so intimidated I don't think I even uttered a word to her.
She was a grade older than me and was this mysterious, lanky, blonde who I only knew as "one of the basketball players." She was my biggest competition for a spot on the sacred 4x800 meter relay, and after my first two seasons of being the third fastest on the team, I was not about to let some sophomore from the basketball team steal my spot.
With basketball season trickling into the start of spring track, she couldn't make many practices, which I loved because it meant the less time I had to spend with my "competition."
Oh, how the tables have turned over the years.
Seven years ago winning State Championships was what our worlds revolved around, and ultimately was what made us the best of friends. Our competitive drive and determined nature might have pegged us as opponents for a few short months, but the rivalry did not last long.
While my first outdoor season I ended up being the one who got to run in the relay, making it my third State Championship win in a year, in return the next spring my opponent-turned-best-friend had her own chance at glory as she went on to claim the coveted relay spot.
By the next sports season, we were training together daily, having sleepovers on the weekends and were officially the best of friends.
It's funny how people come into your lives when you least expect it and they end up making the biggest impact.
Even after all of these years I still look back laughing at the fact that my best friend in the entire world, Sarah Ann Craven, was once someone I was afraid of.
To my sweetest pal, Sarah Ann, thanks for sharing my first name, the love/hate we have for running and most of all for sharing this crazy life with me.
I cannot wait for many more Mamma Mia soundtrack sponsored road trips and adventures with you!
