Meet Laurie. Here she is during landfall on a recent sailing trip, REALLY enjoying her coffee. On Friday night we went out to a wine bar and giggled and gaggled about this and that while the waiter-man delivered us glass after glass of beautiful red wine. That’s what we’re wont to do now. But back when we met, way back in 1991–17 years ago–we were more likely to play foursquare or sneak out of the parental houses on a night of pre-teenage skulkery. I can’t believe it’s been 17 years, and yet, I can. Laurie and I know each other so well and even though we can sometimes go for weeks without seeing one another, we have the best conversations over dinner, a bottle of wine, or the good-old telephone. Laurie was my maid of honour, and she’s recently become engaged to her long-time partner, Chris. They got engaged in Portugal! How romantic.
Post-proposal shot.
Now here’s my interview with her:
What did you want to be when you grew-up?
In your experience, where is the best place in the world?
There really are too many to choose from. I’m going to have to say that they should all be enjoyed with a close friend though!
Laurie loves grass!
What, do you think, is the greatest invention of all time?
The internet, cameras, blister patches from Boots.
Describe your perfect “regular” day.
Start the day off with a lie-in. I must wake later than usual (and have slept right through the night) and get in some cuddle time with Chris. Maestro will be purring and hangin out with us in bed and we will be sipping fresh hot coffees as we listen to CBC radio. When our hearts desire, we will get up and I will take a nice hot bath as Chris gets breakfast started. Since this is my “perfect” day, there will be no garlic in the scrambled eggs. We will make plans to go do something outside, maybe go for a hike or a game of bocce and then head to some sunny patio, where we can meet up with friends for a late lunch and a few cold drinks. Later on, we might watch a movie and I won’t fall asleep on the couch while watching it because it will be too good to miss.
What would you say to 18-year-old you?
Visit your family more often.
What are your aspirations/hopes/dreams/ambitions?
Marry my best friend, buy a house, have a family, go to culinary arts school for fun, travel the world, enjoy my friends, love life.
Laurie and I, as usual, dissolving into guffaws.
What is the best thing about your life right now?
My world seems full of possibilities.
What is the one thing you will NEVER do? (For me, it’s bungee jump)
I agree, you will never see me bungee jumping or skydiving. I have a small fear of heights.
Name three things that are on your “100 things to do before I die” list.
1) Be a host and be hosted around the globe- keep those global connections strong
2) Make my own wine, from the grapes that I’ve grown in my own backyard
3) Complete an outdoor adventure- i.e. hike the West Coast trail, go on a canoe trip
Recommend something to the internet. Movie, book, wine, music, sexual position…. whatever you’d like!
Old Vines Foch, Quail’s Gate wine. The best red wine ever! Although, I do suggest that it be enjoyed with a good friend!
Post-bouquet catch at my wedding!
Have you read Outlander? If not, WHY?????
No, but you are a consistant source of inspiration for new books!
When will I see you again?
Friday night! [Yes I saw her on Friday night! I'm sure I'll see her again on a Friday!]
My Maid of Honour
The following questions were answered by both Laurie and I separately.
When did we meet and why?
Me: We met in grade 7 in 1991. I was new to the school.
Laurie: I remember that I first saw you standing on the doorstep to our portable 7th grade classroom at Westwood Elementary. You were wearing a blue silk collared dress shirt covered in black polka dots and were wearing lots of makeup. I think that Danielle and I probably invited you to do laps around the school with us at recess.
Laurie, Danielle and I. We were three-strong all through high school.
What is your first memory of me?
Me of her: We didn’t become friends straight away but sometime in the spring of 92. I remember walking home with you and Danielle [our other compadre] and then pausing on somebody’s lawn. We sat down and you both brought out your band instruments–a clarinet and a trumpet–and played for me. It was kind of surreal and so great.
Laurie of me: Aside from first meeting you, it’s all a blur as to what comes first. I remember that we used to hang out at the Pine Centre Mall A LOT after school. We used to walk around for hours and hours, not really shopping, just walking and laughing A LOT. I also remember hanging out in your bedroom, listening to John Lennon, Madonna or Queen looking at your growing collection of items that boys you liked had given you (gum wrapper, skittle, scrap of paper with a phone number etc.), hanging out in the church garden at the end of my street pretending to be sisters, making music videos and comedies in your house while your parents were away, sneaking out during sleep-overs and playing tug-of-war with a stolen rag rug in the school yard in the middle of the night, figure skating on the ice behind my house, dancing in thermos.
Prom 1996. Pasty much?
What is your favourite memory involving our friendship? Me: Again, I can’t choose one, but I’ll speak about the time we spontaneously decided to go trick-or-treating even though we were much too old for the thing (I think we were 13). We took turns being the child, dressed up in Groucho Marx glasses, and the mom who stood at the end of the driveway. “The mom” would stand at the end of the driveway and yell, “I’m the mom!” to any passersby who cared.
Laurie: I don’t know if I can really just choose one. We’ve been friends now for about 17 years! Lately, we’ve taken to trying out new restaurants and local wines, sunny patios or cruises in her new sailboat. Life always seems grand when I’m with Leah.
What has our friendship done for you?
Me: Laurie’s friendship is so natural. We know each other so well and have been part of each other’s lives through the thick and the thin. I’m so glad she and I ended up in the same part of the world and I know in my bones that we will be friends for decades to come.
Laurie: It makes me feel happy. We have been friends though it all (high school, 1st boyfriends, friendships as they come and go, university, new careers, marriage) and it is comforting to have someone out there that knows you so well. I’ve never been annoyed or hurt by Leah- she is a very kind and thoughtful person who does not have a single mean bone in her body and always has a smile on her face. She’s told me that she gets grumpy at times but I don’t see it. There always seems to be something funny to laugh about when I’m around her. Once she starts laughing, I start laughing- her laugh is contagious!
Thanks so much, Laurie!
[...] did a little partying with Laurie: the bride-to-be! She is scheduled to be the bride in just a few tiny days and so we spent the past [...]