ellen amanda barcelona... take two

Tonight, my dear friend Amanda and I watched one of our favorite movies, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. We first watched it on a snowy March night three years ago. I shared the joy of Spanish tinto (dry red wine mixed with orange Fanta) as we were whisked off to Barcelona. Amanda and I watched the movie again two months later in May. In October 2009, we decided to live out the trip to Barcelona by meeting there. I was living in southern Spain, Amanda in England. It was delightful. We stayed at a friend of a friend's piso, drank sangria (a little too much acutally), road on a boat, experienced the Sagrada Famila cathedral, and relished in each other's company. A friend from the past sharing the present experience of Europe was a treasure to us both.
When I returned from Spain, Amanda had just moved to my city. Again, a friend from the past with which to share our current experiences... Most of my life has had very clear stages with only one friend from each passing into the next. On entering high school, I lost contact with everyone I went to grade school with except one person. On going to college, I kept in touch with only a few people. After college, I have continued that pattern - for some inexplicable reason.
And so, as I have woven together a life in my city, Amanda has been a link. She has been someone I don't just call to catch up with, but actually live normality with.
After we watched the movie tonight, we reflected. Amanda and I often say that we bonded over tea and toast, broken hearts, and a love for Europe. The first time we saw this movie, we were in college. Since then, we have graduated, traveled to Barcelona (together!), shared a lot more tea and toast, and even gone on double dates with our super awesome boyfriends. Life's beautiful, isn't it?