"Friends are how God gives hugs."

I met up briefly with a dear old friend, Melissa, and her other half tonight. In a random turn of events, they recently bought a house just down the street from my parents and where I grew up. I was so excited when I found this out because I don’t see her nearly enough.

We met back in 2010 while I was working at Deloitte and making the transition back to Nashville from DC. She had just moved to Nashville from Florida and was brand-spanking-new to Deloitte. Amidst a crazy project with even crazier hours (it was insane – being-made-to-feel-guilty-for-leaving-work-at-11pm insane), we quickly became great friends. When I made the decision to leave Deloitte, I was thrilled, but so sad to leave my partner in crime. We’d make a point to grab lunch or dinner every so often, but we were both busy and it usually only amounted to once or twice a year. So I was equally shocked and happy to hear that they live in their new neighborhood where I often visit and close to my office – hopefully meaning we’ll see each others’ faces much more often!

Tonight I gave them the rundown on the neighborhood, the neighbors, and even their house. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I actually babysat for the family that lived in their house – it was crazy to be back in there tonight, seeing her home office where the little boy’s room was.

Melissa is a wonderful friend. She is a perfect example of God placing lifesavers in your life when you need them. I firmly believe that every person comes into our lives for a reason. And it could be that a person is only supposed to be in your life for a short time, or they may be meant to be in it forever. Not every friend is supposed to be your friend from age 8 to 80, but every person serves a purpose – no matter how brief their appearance. As people come into our lives – both new and returning – I think it behooves us to remember that they were placed there for a reason. And God won’t let them leave our lives until we’ve learned from them what we are supposed to. The lesson may not be obvious. It could be a seed planted that doesn’t grow to teach us what it is meant to until years later. This goes for our not-so-favorite people too. In fact, I think I have learned just as much – if not more – from people who I haven’t loved having in my life. They taught me to face realities, challenges, and who and what I don’t want to be.

So if you have ever crossed my path in life at all, thank you. You have helped to shape me into me.