World's Collide

I often feel like I'm living my life in three separate worlds.

First, I am a military wife. I live on base and have my military friends. I have all of the challenges and rewards of being a part of the United States military.

Then I an a mother. A large chunk of my life revolves around the kids' school. I have friends whose kids are in classes with my kids. I work on volunteer projects. I have a whole social life that is influenced by the events at school.

Then I am a women, a writer, and a friend. I have a whole group of friends who have never interacted in my other two worlds. They are fellow writers, old college friends, and friends I've made through mutual connections. And they all live far away.

I love the life I lead in all three of these worlds and I love to see them come together. I love having military wife friends who are also fellow school moms.

But sometimes when my world's collide, it can be a bit disconcerting.

My very best friend isn't a military wife or a mom. He's a single man living in New York City. Our lives are very different yet we have a great deal in common.

I know that people are always curious about my friend. I know that it isn't common for a happily married woman to have a best male friend. But I think my mom explains it best when she tells people, "Oh, they're like sisters really."

And my best friend and my husband have a good relationship. In fact, a few years ago when my friend was laid off from his job, it was my husband who suggested he live in our summer house for a few months until he could get back on his feet. This past spring when my friend landed back in the hospital after complications from major surgery, it was my husband who insisted I jump on a plane to sit by his bedside.

My friend became a part of our family without any of us even realizing it was happening. My kids now call him Uncle Patrick. In our darkest times and our lightest times, we're all there for each other.

This weekend, my best friend came to visit.

It was so great to see him. It has become tradition for him to visit us right in the middle of my husband's deployments. It gives me a break and some fun. My husband suggested that I invite Patrick for Revel weekend so he could help me volunteer at our school's booth and see the kids play with the Suzuki Strings.

I don't know why I was nervous about him meeting my school friends.

It's dumb really. Patrick is a great guy. I wouldn't be friends with him if he wasn't. And I know my friends from school are wonderful. Of course they would like him.

I guess maybe it is just weird to see two parts of your life come together. When your worlds collide, you wait for a crash. But there was nothing but smooth sailing. Of course.

Our visit was way too short. The kids cried when we dropped Patrick off at the airport, though they are glad to have their own bedrooms back. And the dog is quite put out that her one true love has left her yet again. But I had a blast.

It's funny, though, how having my friend here has made me miss my husband all the more. I wasn't expecting that.

Maybe it is because he is the only one who knows and loves me as I live in all three of my worlds.