The History of CJB + JEF
Life is full of highs and lows for everyone. My mother often tells me that it is important to treat people with respect and to always be polite. She also encouraged me to be strong and not to hold grudges but to accept that as an adult there may be a lot of times when the amount of truly good friends in your life may be smaller number than the fingers on one hand.
Growing up in the country, so isolated from large populations and the hustle and bustle that comes with it, I learned early to appreciate what I had and to make the best out of any situation and resources available. Often the friendships made between country children are less about shared common interests and more about gender, age and proximity. This doesn't make them any less real or valuable, in fact this often makes the bonds deeper and more genuine.
When Courtney moved to Lake Grace with her family as a four-year-old, I made an instantaneous decision that she would be my best friend. I took her from her mothers hand the first day at Pre-Primary, told her my name and that we would be friends. I had left my other friends at the table drawing to do this. I have not regretted my choice since this first day.
I went away to boarding school in another town (Narrogin) when I was 14. She moved with her family to Busselton (yet another town) when she was 16. We effectively lost most of our communication we graduated high school.
I have been living in Perth and she in BUsselton and Perth sporadically since high school but we have maintained contact to a better degree, although not as regularly as would be expected if we lived close together. This year we both turned 26.
I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 8 years ago and I have been on a rollercoaster ride with my health ever since. One of the most important things in my life has been my relationship with Courtney. Through my ups and downs, our relationship and her support has been endless and consistent. Knowing I have someone like Courtney in my life has been one of the most fundamental and meaningful things that has helped me and kept me going.
For years I have been thinking, what do I do? How do I show this person that is so special to me how much they mean to me? What meaningful gift can I give that shows the depth of my gratitude and how much I value this incredible person?