Flyer Friendships Forever

For those of us who are alumni of the University of Dayton, you know the takeaway treasures of being a Flyer are numerous. For me, my lasting friendships ranks even higher than a Milano’s turkey sub with extra mayo. Over the next two consecutive weekends, I’m slated to attend two weddings. My friends from college now have children getting married, and I am looking forward to slipping into the proverbial “old shoe” with these friends I’ve loved for almost half a century (don’t choke, gals, when you read this). We could all show up wearing burlap sacks and it wouldn’t matter. Shared admirations about how wonderful and beautiful we are (despite dressing like a potato) will, no doubt, flood our reunion with hugs and joy.

I remember the days when these same friends and I would attend dress up events while living on Lowes Street near UD’s campus. It wasn’t often when I had to change from sweat pants into the one floral sundress stuffed beneath the sweater box in my closet. When I did, we usually did it together. My favorite shoes were black strappy sandals with 4-inch-stiletto heels that I pulled out to wear with the one dress for all occasions. I loved strutting alongside my friends as we laughed our way to the other side of campus for some sort of sorority event. Although I was the only one of the lot not a sorority sister, my friends brought me along anyway simply because they wanted me with them. My feet were two sizes smaller back then and somehow impervious to blister formation. I just loved the unconditional sense of belonging.

These days, my hair is not often coiffed. Lately, the only makeup I’ve worn was applied by my granddaughter who thought blue was a good color for blush and Barbie pink was a good hue for the brows. In other words, after a summer of flip flops and sports bras, it’s time to dust off some fancy for my UD gals and their grand occasions of happiness. I’ll take a long overdue tour of my closet to find just the right sensible shoes that go with an appropriate dress that still fits.

I’ll wish to pay forward our big history of love as the children of my friends walk down the aisle towards new and great life. After all, these friends were present when I walked down the aisle over 40 years ago towards new and great life. And to think it all started while hanging out in the Marycrest dorm over 50 years ago. By random chance, I was gifted with the dearest of friends. To this day, the only expectation we have for one another is that we cheer our UD Flyer Basketball teams (both men and women) from afar. Flyer Fever is alive and well with us. Regardless, I wish to show up in my best for these women I cherish now more than ever. If that means a potato sack and blue on my cheeks, I’ve no doubt I’ll be beautiful in their eyes.

They say you can’t make old friends, and I know firsthand this to be so true. Looking forward to celebrating young love with such dear “old” friends makes the wrinkles surrounding my eyes sparkle with anticipation.

Although I replaced the 4-inch-stilettos with more reasonable block-heels a long time ago, my anticipation in spending time with my college gals remains full of crazy and laughter. My guess is we’ll all have sweat pants in tow, because lounging in the early morning after an eventful evening is where we all feel most comfortable. Now, if Milano’s could only deliver by air…