Sister in Laws

 I met M in 2018, when I was emotionally unstable during my (then) marriage.  

I remember getting an invitation to a meet up at a local bar/restaurant down the road from my house.  I pulled up and sat there for a minute scanning the outside eating area.  It was crowded, the music was loud, and the sound of the machines echoed in the parking lot.  I saw her sitting on the deck area, taking a shot in her little leather two piece.

You'd think I'm a dude writing about a chick he instantly fell in love with at this point.  Nope, just about this crazy woman who is a huge part of my life now...

It wasn't an instant connection with her.  No, I was intimidated.  She was 10 younger than me, and I saw a lot of myself 10 years ago just in that moment.  We did talk briefly, but it wasn't enough to say, 'that's my best friend.'  It took another year and a half for us to really connect after that meeting.

The night I was finally able to have some, one on one time with this woman, was me regretting life choices.  She was insane.  I don't mean that in a negative manner, no.  I mean this as, she was me 10 years ago with her wild life style, and the way she'd handle her machine.  No fear.  It was exhilarating!  We started to spend more time together.

More tequila, more hobby time, and more fun with tons of laughs.  She showed me to always pull out my phone and take those photos.  Get the videos and memories even if people are cringing at selfies and commentary.  We became almost inseparable while managing other friends and family life.  She was supportive with my life and my kids as I was hers.  She would crash at my place here and there, and I'd come visit her.  She was amazing with little J and E, never annoyed like some people without kids.  

In 2021 she supported me leaving my ex-husband because she couldn't stand what he did to me and the kids.  She didn't agree with me staying for so long, but she was by my side.

2022, she dropped everything the night my little dog of 16 years suddenly passed away.  She showed up with alcohol and stayed with me while I cried.  She was the one to call, because I've never met anyone else in life who was more passionate about animals than her.  

May 2022, we planned a hobby thing together, but it was an hour south of where I was living at the time.  No problem, right?  She asked her brother if we could stay overnight with him so the drive would be less for us.  Little did either of us know how that lead us to the present time.

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Today, she's still my best friend.  We don't talk as much, see each other as often, or engage in our hobby as much together, but she's the reason we are sisters-in-law.  We might have a physical 10-year age gap, but if you were to see us together, you'd never know.