I spent a recent Saturday morning with my best friend. Grandpa was away for the weekend at the Ranch and my friend came over for a sleep over. He came to the side of my bed that morning around 7 a.m. to announce that morning was here and it was time to get up. I told him politely that I did see daylight but suggested he climb into bed with me and we could ‘wake up together’. Thankfully he obliged.

We snuggled close under the covers, heads together on the pillow, watching in companionable silence the sun come up through the trees outside my bedroom window. After a while we talked quietly, I can’t remember about what. But I do remember when he turned his head toward me and with sincerity in those huge blue eyes said, “You’re my best friend.” My Grandma heart did a flip. I told him he was my best friend too and gave him a gentle kiss on the head. He smiled, then burst the bubble a bit when he added, “Dad is my best friend too.” And then also named his mom and sister.

I’ve been someone’s fleeting best friend before so I know the drill. My grandchildren go through phases of how they relate to me. When they are less than year old they may tolerate me as long as mom is within sight but otherwise but could care less. Becoming a toddler gives them independence and they begin to see I can be a lot of fun and have more time and patience than mom or dad usually do. But the 3 – 5 years are golden. Those with whom I’ve been fortunate enough to have in my home a lot during their pre-school years have granted me BFF status and there is nothing like it. Nothing.

At that stage they cry when they have to leave me. They stay close to me like white on rice and are interested in whatever I am doing whether it’s laundry, dishes, playing with them in the grandkids room, breakfast on the upstairs porch, reading my favorite children’s books, or going to the store. They cuddle with me at bedtime during prayers and stories, and I’m the first thing they want to see when they wake up at my house. They snuggle with me under the covers, put their precious little hands on my face, gaze into my eyes and call me best friend. It is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received and I’ve learned to cherish every moment.

I’m under no illusion that being their BFF will last. They grow up, find friends their own age, go to school and have commitments that don’t allow them to visit as often. But we are still fast friends and will always be close, those foundational days providing the golden thread that stitched our hearts together forever one way or another. So to Emily, Molly, Lily, and Lola I say thanks for letting me be your BFF when you were little. To my current BFF, Liam, I say “see you next time!” And to Alex who just turned one I say can’t wait to have you here often during the next two years so that when you are a bit older you too will want me to be your BFF. And I will.