If we knew then....

At some point, in the frustration of trying to explain ourselves, rationalize our behaviors, justify our thoughts, and articulate our true feelings, we start to wish we had someone that  just knew.


That just knew how we felt,
 that understood what we were thinking, 
and could offer us that safe place where we could trust our true self, heart exposed, with no judgement to be passed. 


That person that could hear everything you DIDN'T say, and could tell you anything you didn't want to hear because you would value their truth more than anything else because sometimes, most times, they prove to know you better than you know yourself.


That person that knew you before you grew up; before we learned to filter and censor and suffer and withdraw. Those days when we acted with out thinking about consequences, and the people that were truly attracted to our inner beauty before life could take over and complicate things. 


Before we knew how to protect ourselves, and build up our defenses... When we let people in accidentally, before we learned what being vulnerable meant. 


The beautiful, simplified friendship that grew up before we could really cherish it the way we would have wished to.


The one you knew was so special then, but has only become more special in hindsight. The friend you never took for granted, but that you never feel like you could ever satisfy your gratitude toward, because to this day you still think of them and smile for the place they will forever hold in your heart.  You're still learning from them, and you know you'll never stop.


The friend that you know would be there, anywhere, wherever life leads you, if you should ever need them. When time and distance are just irrelevant because it will never dissipate the comfort of your friendship.


Maybe it's a tiny period of time in our life that we're really able to make those true life long friends. . . I'm so lucky to have made mine. My compass through this crazy journey I can't imagine with anyone else. 


<3 AP
<3 AI ( thanks for the inspiration)