If You Didn't Know, My Best Friend's Getting Married

I was half asleep when one of my oldest friends called me shrieking on the phone. I couldn’t really understand what she was saying but eventually got the gist. She’s ENGAGED!

Margot and I met during tennis pre-season before the start of our freshman year in high school. I was transferring from another school and she had just moved to Chicago from New York. I missed the first week of practice because of a family vacation and was extremely nervous when I showed up the second week. That first day, Margs and I were partnered together as double players, and have been best friends ever since.

I know I’m getting older, I realize I turn 27 in two weeks but I just can’t get a grip on the fact we’re at the marrying age...or at least Margot is.

I remember Margs and I passing notes in history class sophomore year and going on spring break together. We never missed a good high school party and helped throw each others. I remember our road trips to college in Ann Arbor and endless Cosi lunches. Plus, sneaking into nightclubs before we were of age and sweet-talking the bouncers. I remember when we each landed our first jobs and how proud we were of each other. We’ve celebrated raises ever since.

Now she’s engaged, with a beautiful ring on her finger and she’s ECSTATIC.

I think Margot and of course her fiancee are extremely lucky. He makes her glow and you can tell these two are right for each other. That doesn’t happen every day.

I think falling in love is a big deal, you’re giving yourself to another person in a way no one else can understand. It’s special, rare and something to cherish. But I’ve also learned, marriage isn’t only about love. As I grow older and a bit wiser (hopefully) I realize you’re also going to need someone you can rely on. Forget money, forget jobs, forget the rest of your family. At the end of the day, it’s you and this other person, day in and day out, making huge decisions together.

I think it’s so appropriately put in wedding vows, “for better or for worse,” because that’s literally what you’re promising. But isn’t that such a great promise to be able to make to someone? It’s definitely one I want to make some day and am overjoyed that my best friend has already found someone to make it to.