"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you'll find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding, but there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along." -Marion St. Claire from Bride Wars

I enjoyed the movie, Bride Wars, tonight.  Not so much the movie, but this quote really spoke to me and reminded me so much of my relationship with my bestfriend, Chad.  If you read through the past nine years that I have been keeping this journal/blog, it is impossible not to read about how much he has impacted, changed, and been a huge part of my life.  We have been friends for 12 years now!  He has been there through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  He has been there through all the boys.  All the school.  All the issues.  All the coming out.  All the going back in.  All the happy, all the sad, and all the just alright.  He knows it all.  Even though we have not lived in the same town for quite some time now, we still manage to keep that bond strong despite the lack of conversation, despite the lack of time, despite the distance, despite it all.  I am not afraid to admit this, but Chad, you really are that one person.

So, where does that leave me when it comes to dating and getting married?  I blame it on him as to why it has been so difficult.  I mean, really?  Seriously, though, I think I can have my cake and eat it too.  On the one hand, I can have this amazing relationship with my bestfriend that seems one of a kind and also have a great guy on my arm for a partner?  Right?  Or, is that asking too much?  As I have been told recently by a friend, I have some work to do in the relationship department (apparently I am ranked last in our group when it comes to being relationship-ready).  When I think about my relationship with Chad, though, it has to be the strongest and closest relationship I have ever been a part of and that has to count for something, right?  Not just count for something, it is something.  It is something that not many people get to experience in life (at least from my bias perspective on the matter) and something that will last a lifetime.  So, regardless of whether or not I am ready for getting married just yet, I am happy and content with the best friend anyone could ask for.  He really has been here all along!

I love you, Chad.