I was so excited. We made the plans, months in advance. We marked our calendars, coordinated childcare, and texted each other the entire week before in anticipation. The day is here and your text comes in:

I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel. Sick kid. 

I respond, No worries! Next time!

What I meant to say was: 

No worries! Next time! I know that you aren’t a flake. It’s okay that our friendship looks different than it did 15 years ago when we lived together, sharing each other’s clothes and eating frozen meals together. It’s okay that we don’t get to talk on the phone daily (or even weekly or monthly). It’s okay that text messages go unanswered for days because the important ones always get responded to. It’s okay that we only get to see each other a few times a year now because you are always there when I need you. Our days are long between work, the family calendar, and the colds (SO.MANY.COLDS). Life has changed, but our friendship has not. Take care of your kid. We will get together soon. 

This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series “With a Little Help”.