Blueberry: Proof the Universe Occasionally Gets It Right

There are friends… and then there are friends. The one kind who drift in and out of your life like seasonal decorations—nice to see when they appear, but not exactly structural. And then there’s the rare, magical, possibly slightly unhinged category: the lifelong best friend. The one who has stuck around long enough to know where the bodies are buried… and helped dig a few of the holes.

I’m talking about that friend. The loyalest and bestest friend ever. For me that’s Blueberry.

1981

We met so long ago and both of us remember exactly when and where. As I look back now, I think the Universe assigned us to each other and brought her uncle and my mom together so she and I could be lifelong besties. Of course, we didn’t know it then (1980 I believe) that in our 50’s we’d still be besties.

Over the years we have seen each other through everything: crushes, questionable haircuts, jobs, terrible fashion choices, life decisions that seemed brilliant at the time, and the slow dawning realization that maybe—just maybe—we should not have cut our own bangs.

A lifelong best friend is the person who remembers you before you became a somewhat respectable adult. They remember when you were a twenty something goblin fueled by diet soda and poor judgment. They know all of the embarrassing stories. In fact, they were probably there when the embarrassing stories happened.

1999

They are also the only person who can say, “Remember when we…” and instantly send ourselves into a full-body cringe while laughing so hard you can’t breathe.

Loyalty like this isn’t loud or flashy. It’s not grand speeches or dramatic movie moments. It’s the quiet, stubborn kind of loyalty that shows up again and again over the years. It’s the friend who answers the phone when you call, but takes forever to answer a text.

The friend who has helped you move, even though they know you own an unreasonable amount of scrapbook supplies and kitchen gadgets.

They are the keeper of your shared history. They remember things you forgot. They remind you who you were when life gets messy and confusing. Who has the memory of an elephant and whom you rely on to remember the details of our story.

And perhaps most importantly, they are the one person who can look at you across a room, make a single facial expression, and start a silent conversation that leaves both of you trying not to laugh like middle schoolers in detention.

1990

That kind of friendship doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built slowly over years of shared adventures, inside jokes, small kindnesses, and some of the most ridiculous conversations.

Over the years, many friendships fade. Life happens. People move, priorities shift, and paths diverge.

But every once in a while, if you are very lucky, you get one that sticks. One that grows right along with you through all the stages of life—from reckless youth to whatever strange, creaky version of adulthood we’re currently inhabiting.

A lifelong best friend is proof that time doesn’t weaken real friendships. If anything, it makes them stronger… and funnier… and occasionally a little more sarcastic.

2010

This is Blueberry to me.

The one who stayed.

The one who knows everything. EVERYTHING!

And the one who, if the zombie apocalypse arrives tomorrow, will absolutely be on your team—mostly because they know exactly how weird you are and have decided they’re sticking with you anyway.

I’m lucky. I’ve always known Blueberry was special. She’s the kind of person who roots for the underdog, stands like a rock when things get wobbly, has a heart the size of Montana, and—most impressively—never folds on her morals and values. Basically, she’s the respectable one in this friendship. Every duo needs one.

2008

From the beginning, I figured we’d be there for each other through thick and thin. In my mind, though, the arrangement was pretty simple: if she ever needed help, I’d be there in a heartbeat. What I didn’t imagine was the Universe deciding to test the “thick and thin” clause with a full-scale hospital adventure.

Apparently, the fine print of friendship includes things like medical drama, hospital rooms, and me being the one who suddenly needs help. A lot of it.

And that’s where Blueberry has absolutely blown me away.

Time and again she’s shown up, done what needed to be done, and taken care of me without a single complaint. Not even a tiny, passive-aggressive sigh. Honestly, if there’s a gold medal for “Best Human Under Ridiculous Circumstances,” she’s already on the podium.

I always knew she was loyal. I just didn’t realize the Universe was going to run such an aggressive loyalty stress test.

So yes, I’m lucky. Truly lucky.

And I just want to thank the Universe for dropping Blueberry into my life. Because when life gets weird, painful, or downright ridiculous, it turns out the best thing you can possibly have is a loyal, rock-solid friend named Blueberry.

I genuinely can’t imagine my life without her. And frankly, I don’t want to

My only wish if that I am half the friend to her that she is to me. 

2000