Twisted Straws

Friendly's: so many memories at that restaurant. On the last day of school my mom would pick my sisters and I up and we would be squeeling because the last day of school meant a trip to Friendly's for an icecream cone! After piano recitals, and then later flute recitals, we would celebrate at Friendly's. I remember having a heart to heart with my mom there about boys; ha what a surprise. When I was 7 years old I broke my arm, but the world was suddenly made better after my friend's grandpa brought me Friendly's icecream that very night. Enthralled with Shirley Temple and tap dancing, I always wanted the pink Shirley Temple drink with the thick crazy straw. Friendly's was the first restaurant where I stuffed myself as a kid to the point of pain and regret;  I could hardly walk because I was so incredibly full of foods laden with saturated fat, sodium, and calories (Ha. sometimes I hate that I know the inns and outs of food). Discovering their $0.99 kids milkshakes was the best find since hmmm goodwill stores? Waffle fries loaded with sour cream, bacon, and cheddar cheese coupled with a hunka-chunka pb cup sundae equaled perfection (Meredith!). As I'm writing this, I keep remembering memory after memory traced back to Friendly's... so why am I writing this? Because today I passed a Friendly's.

I work in the city. Yup, I lock my car doors, carry pepper spray (well, soon), and am constantly aware of my surroundings. Yea, maybe I'm paranoid, but when you hear stories that happened at your work or right next to it, you decide to start guarding your life.  So, on the way into the city today, I saw a Friendly's on my right. Apparently I had driven past it in the last 4 weeks, but being the observant girl that I am, I just noticed it today (maybe because a starbucks is located right next to it... bad girl, I know).

So it wasn't just any Friendly's. It was the one my parents and I ate at after visting Messiah. It was where my thoughts all collided together...

I ordered a mint sundae...classic. My parents and I talked about the school and the meeting with the department head ...they voiced their concerns. I voiced my fears.

As I was talking, I subconciously twisted the paper that once surrounded my straw. I told them how I knew I needed to go there. I told them how I was unhappy at my old school. I told them how much I wanted to be an R.D. I told them that this was totally out of my comfort zone. I told them that I knew I wanted this... I told them that I knew God wanted me to move, that I was getting too comfortable with where I was. I told them my fears. But, I stuck up for myself and for my feelings. They listened and respected my decision. And then they mentioned Robbie...

Robbie is the man I've been dating for 1 year and 6 months. He's the guy that has always believed in me. He's the guy that has always supported me. He's the guy that I can always count on to be praying for me. He's the guy that lets me share my thoughts, fears, beliefs, ambitions, and dreams. He's the guy that tells me not to worry but to give it over. He's the guy that makes me bust up laughing at his insane jokes, stories... or just by his personality. He's the guys that makes valient attempts to understand this crazy, emotional, changeable girl. He's the guy that helps me express my thoughts by talking me through any situation. He's the guy that showed me how to forgive and how to move on. He's the guy that is so very patient and so very loving. He's the guy that has my best interests at heart. He's the guy that helped me step away from my past and find my freedom in Christ. He's the guy that I can always count on to love me no matter what happens. He's the guy that was first my best friend before my sweetheart.

They asked me how I felt about leaving Robbie. I looked down at the paper straw I had been unknowingly twisting, and I had shaped it into a heart.

In the middle of Friendly's, the place of so many childhood memories, I cried. My life was about to change and that change involved losing a part of me that was always right beside me.
I know it seems silly to suddenly cry after seeing a makeshift heart, but I remember him making me hearts out of straws.... He's that kind of guy that shows he cares about me through little, creative ways. Leaving him would be the hardest part...and still is the hardest part of the decision I made that day. But, his support throughout the entire transition process has been amazing... his example has shown me how important it is to support the people you love. He's that kind of guy who shows me he loves me by his unselfishness.

Another memory made at Friendly's... Now when I drive by, I can't believe I'm where I am in life and am so thankful that Robbie May is still in my life. I miss you, best friend. Thank you for being the stable part in my unstable life. I don't know what I would do without you, nor do I ever want to find out. Friendly's date sometime? <3

I love you.