I first saw this as a movie during a high school field trip to Ocean Shores for a weekend that was filled with excitement and anticipation. We popped the aging VCR tape into the player and settled into our seats, dimming the lights as the opening credits rolled. It was on that fateful day that I watched as a young red-haired orphan entered a new experience, alone yet filled with hope and determination.

As the storyline unfolded, I found myself entirely captivated by her journey of resilience and friendship. It is while watching this film that I first heard the term ‘bosom friend’, a phrase that resonated deeply within me. By definition, it means a deeply intimate, trusted, and lifelong confidant; someone who stands by your side through thick and thin. Sometimes you meet someone who gets you so well, that you feel like you have known them for a lifetime, as if a bond was forged long before your paths ever crossed. This film not only taught me about the strength found in friendship but also left me reflecting on my own relationships and the profound connections that shape our lives.

While talking through what I have been going through recently, friend told me recently “It appears that the universe is conspiring in your favor”, referring to the people that have been put in my path to help me through my grieving and rediscovery. I have found several excellent sources of healing through caring and understanding friends who are watching out for me to make sure I am doing ok, facilitate needed talking/crying sessions, helping me to unpack my thoughts, as well as introducing me to new things.

Thank you, my bosom friends.