Jackie.

For Jackie

Jackie is one of my oldest and most dear friends. I met her for the first time in Junior High School, when I was still one of the most nervous and shy kids you'll ever meet. My first memory of her was acting in a small scene together during our Drama class, in which I was tasked with playing Richard Simmons, and pretty much was not happy with this 'casting' choice. I remember her being very supportive and positive - without her encouragement I highly doubt I would have been able to run into the classroom acting ridiculous if not for her kindness to a (at that time) stranger. I immediately knew this girl was special, but it wouldn't be for a few years before we actually became good friends.

Once we started High School, our burgeoning friendship began to grow, as we continued to bond in drama classes and productions, but our friendship came to a head when we went to see Zoolander together, and busted a gut throughout the film then stood on the corner of the paramount theatre reminiscing about the film we just saw. After that we became pretty inseparable. We would hang out and watch films, tv shows, go on adventures, and the whole time my respect and love for her grew. Our friendship was cinched the day we realized we both had a love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and from then on, we had weekly Buffy nights where we would watch the new episode together.

I remember taking road trips with Jackie and always feeling comfortable around her. I never felt out of place, or felt like she was judging me or thinking less of me. As someone who has struggled with low self esteem throughout my life, this was a huge deal for me. I just felt this instant connection with her and remembered always feeling welcome around her. We traveled to Portland together and it remains one of the best memories of my life. A beautiful city with a beautiful friend.

Our lives have since been a little out of synchronicity. We've both moved and had to say goodbye to each other multiple times, but it's never hurt our friendship. Anytime I see her it never feels strange, or that we've been apart for a long time. It instantly feels like I'm that scared little kid in Junior High school, with Jackie cheering me on to act ridiculous and dance around like Richard Simmons (although my dance moves have since improved).

Here's the thing about Jackie. She is honestly one of the most caring and kindhearted people I have ever met. She's so kind to everyone she meets and it's no surprise anyone who knows her absolutely adores her. She is always thinking of ways to help others - those she's close to and strangers alike. Her smile is one of the most beautiful things you'll ever see, and one of my favorite things in the world is getting the opportunity to laugh with her. There are times when I feel like I can't keep up with her in terms of being such a good friend - because she's just so damn good at it. It's like trying to jam with Jimi Hendrix - no matter how good you might be, she's just that much better.

Something that people probably know about me is I certainly enjoy films a lot. I go to the theatre often. So often that sometimes I'll forget whose company I was in when I saw it. Jackie is one of the few people I remember just about every film we went together to see. The aforementioned Zoolander, The Hours, Anchorman, Chicago, John Q, and that's just off the top of my head. I think these stick out in my mind so much because I cherish every second I get to spend with my dear friend. 

We have both since moved to different cities, with myself in Calgary and her in Toronto. But we never lose touch. Even if it's a simple hello, or a card in the mail, or a phone call when I'm feeling really down, Jackie has always been there for me. I will get abnormally excited when she comes to visit, and darnit I really hope to get a better flow of income so I can start visiting her more often out east as well. I know we will remain friends forever, and I know that I can always count on her to be there for me. 

I love you Jackie. Thank you for getting me through Jr. High and High School. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your amazing friendship. Thank you for your endless optimism and enthusiasm. Thank you for dance parties. Thank you for Buffy marathons. Thank you for road trips. Thank you for never judging me. Thank you for being such an amazing, strong and beautiful person.