Tied loosely around my wrist, lies a soft, pale blue string braided with a deep, navy one. In the middle of this braid, a small engraved plate is tied with the coordinates of my childhood. The string of numbers reminds me of the memories that created the person I am. It reminds me of the place I came to be. The place where I made the best memories I know. As I open my eyes, I look around to see the vibrant blue sky and the shimmering waves on the water formed from the slight breeze that courses through the air. I snap into reality as I hear the happy hollars from kids swimming and tubing out in the lake. Coming to my senses, I hear the faint sound of classic rock music coming from the neighbors speaker. I look around to see multitudes of boats and people circling around the lake. I soak in the warmth the sun provides, and finally push myself off the warm lawn chair I was resting on.
Glancing at my wrist transports me back in time to this warm summer's day, where I sit floating on a small inflated tube isolated in the water connected to the boat by only a single rope. To my left, my friend sits in the same situation as me, both with equal excitement coursing through our veins. The faint sounds of the boat's motor become louder as we begin to take off. Soon, our tubes are flying through the water, and we both are consumed in laughter. As we fly around on the small tubes, the cold water splashes onto our faces, and the rough fabric of the tube rubs against our legs. With one strong fling of the boat, we go flying off the tubes headfirst into the freezing water. As we emerge from under the surface, we both look at each other and break out in energetic laughter.
This bracelet reminds me of the place where I meet the person I hold so close to me, and have given the title of my best friend. It reminds me of the person I am able to be true around, and the person I spent every minute of my childhood with. She has grown with me. Her eyes meet just below mine in height, and her bright blonde hair flows down far past her shoulders. She is the person that makes me laugh harder than I knew possible. When we are together, it’s like we never left each other's side, and no matter how long we are away, everything just clicks. Her personality is almost ethereal. It matches mine so well that it seems unreal. It is like a puzzle, and our brains are the two fitting pieces. When we are together, her personality blooms, and I get to experience the hilarious, extraordinary person I missed. She runs around making the most funny jokes, bringing a smile to everyone's face in the room. Yet, she manages to be the most compassionate and kind person I know.
So many of my core memories were created with her at the location of this string of numbers. One warm summer day, the sky suddenly was covered with daunting, almost black, clouds. As everyone went inside to take cover, me and my best friend decided to do the opposite. As the rain began to fall faster and faster, we ran out from the warm building and were hit with the familiar aroma of rain. As we sprinted to the open yard, we both began to yell because of the cold rain drops falling onto our bodies. We ran until we no longer could, and both fell to the ground side by side. As the rain continued to pour down on us, we both looked at each other and laughed harder than I ever have. I remember at that moment realizing that this place, and my best friend, made me feel at home.
The weight of this lack of light in my life constantly is with me. Although it is hard to constantly miss someone and some place, I do feel happiness when thinking of both. This string of numbers that I carry ties me to this happiness, my memories, and to my best friend. Even when missing them, I have learned to be thankful to be fortunate enough to have both. Carrying this small memento creates a connection to my own life and is a constant reminder of the joy in it.