LIFESTYLE LEISURE
Some friendships are forever, and that makes our relationship unique and precious because of our history. from our childhood pink-Princess phones in high school to regular mail to email and Facebook today — we regularly stay in touch (and in each other’s business). And, whenever we can, we try to meet in person with a cup of tea (or wine, depending on the severity of the conversation). We have been at each other’s sides to cheer on a kid who graduated from high school or to be supportive when a spouse walked out on a marriage or the heartache of losing a parent. Some friendships are forever, and that makes our relationship unique and precious because of our history. When I talk to new friends and tell them something my father used to say, they invariably say something like they wished they could have met him when he was alive. Unfortunately, Lolly, Lisa, Jill, and I no longer have our Dads, but we all know and understand when any of us say, “You know how my Dad was…” We don’t have to explain, clarify, or justify — no visual or handbook needed. As Lolly puts it, “we get it.” And we get it immediately because we knew our Dads and knew each other as they raised us. It’s that kind of connection and friendship that super glues us together for life. But I digress from our recent trip to the NYC. Ironically, Lolly, Jill, and I are back on a bus from AC to NYC anxiously awaiting the awesome sight of approaching that magnificent skyline and the one of a kind energy that only New York City can exude. Lisa lives in the city, and will meet us for lunch. The four of us all love food and we love to eat — one of many things we share. I have a theory that you cannot find bad food in the New York. Why? I believe serving a bad meal and/or bad service to a New Yorker will get you seriously hurt or at the very least, yelled at! We meet at Orso, a cute Italian-ish restaurant (sans the red-checkered table cloths), on West 46th Street in the heart of the theater district. As we enter the restaurant, we see Lisa sitting at our table. We hug and greet — so excited to all be together and have our Richmond Avenue girl’s day in NYC. To make our day even brighter, Lisa has brought each of us wrapped party favors — Croward Purple Scented Gum (a childhood favorite of ours) and an adorable children’s book, “Three Ladies Beside the Sea,” complete with the best Edward Gorey drawings of three Victorian ladies at the beach. It’s perfect for my beachfront condo’s coffee table, and sets the mood for the day — old and dear friends from the beach spending the day together in New York. Lunch was delicious as well. It’s amazing we were able to eat anything in-between all of our chatting and catching up, but, we did. From Orso’s signature frittatas drizzled with fresh herbs and goat cheese to risotto with truffles, we multi-tasked. Eating and talking is what we do best. Just like good friends, we got several incredible desserts and shared every morsel. After lunch, we walked over to see “Beautiful” — the new 36
Spring 2014 | LIFESTYLE
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Broadway musical based on the life of Carole King and her music. It was so special to be back at a show in NYC together after so many years — and a show that featured songs from when we were kids. The play was fantastic. After all, every word from Carole King’s hit songs are meaningful and memorable. If you were awake and alive in 1971, who did not buy the “Tapestry” album jam-packed with hits like “So Far Away,” “Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move?” In fact, that was the first album I bought for myself with my own money! The play interweaves the songs and King’s life and marriage to co-song writer, Gerry Goffin. Lolly, Lisa, Jill, and I could relate to just about every song because ever since 1971, we have all asked (at one time or another) about a love in our life, “Will you [he] still love me tomorrow?” Over the years, we have encouraged each other with “You’ve got to wake up every morning with a smile on your face and tell the world that you’re as beautiful as you feel!” And when the four of us were not all living in the Atlantic City area, boy that felt “So far away, doesn’t anybody stay in place anymore?” After the show, we immediately started planning the next excursion that the four of us could share. Lisa even upped the ante and suggested we have a sleepover. There was something magical about being together — a bond that is built carefully and consistently over the years. We know we are always out there for each other — a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent to, and a guarantee that we will laugh at each other’s funny stories (funny or not). There is a certain comfort in realizing that we have known each other’s secrets, hopes, and fears longer than our spouses or children! As we walked back to Port Authority Bus Station to catch the bus back to Atlantic City, we said good bye to Lisa. It felt a little sad that the day was ending, but the great memories of being together on our sixth grade trip and again today kept all of us from crying. Well, maybe one happy tear or two. So, we have our pictures in our phones, the Playbill from the show, and yet another memory to add to our long list. Carole King wrote it, James Taylor sings it, and Lolly, Lisa, Jill, and I live it, “You Got a Friend.” n