There’s something magical about friendships that withstand the test of time and distance. My recent visit to Brookfield, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) with my college roommate, Elizabeth, perfectly captures that magic.
When I first met Elizabeth, her campus nickname “Psycho” didn’t exactly sound promising. Hearing “Oh, lucky you! You’re rooming with Psycho!” as a nervous freshman was initially intimidating. Little did I know that this nickname – far from being a warning – was a badge of her vibrant, larger-than-life personality.
Elizabeth was everything I wasn’t: loud where I was quiet, outgoing where I was reserved, bold where I was hesitant. She was a year older, infinitely wiser, and seemed to know everyone on campus. Within moments of moving in, I found myself swept into her world – instant friends, insider tips on the best professors, and a front-row seat to campus life through her eyes.
In just two short years, she taught me something invaluable: the importance of being unapologetically yourself. While I was busy being the quiet, scientific student, she was organizing freshman events, writing for the newspaper, and teaching classes at the field house.
I started dating and ended up in a serious relationship with a guy she introduced me to. After our breakup, I agreed to distance myself from mutual friends, which meant losing touch with Elizabeth. For years, our connection was reduced to Christmas cards and occasional wedding encounters.
I hadn’t seen her in 19 years! What struck me most during this visit was how Elizabeth has only grown more extraordinary with time. She and her husband Mark are parents to two adopted children with special needs and her niece is currently living with them. Mark is steady, patient, kind and welcoming. Elizabeth approaches motherhood with the same boundless energy and unwavering commitment she’s always had.
Her professional life is equally inspiring. She owns a business dedicated to supporting elderly individuals who lack close family support. She tackles everything from helping seniors manage online appointments to organizing critical documentation for their families. Mark works with orthopedic clinics and regularly does projects for neighbors needing help. They both make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Despite their incredibly full and often chaotic life, they still made time to welcome us, to reconnect, to laugh – just like old times. With Mark by her side, he kind heart, infectious laugh, and ability to make everyone feel special hasn’t just remained constant; it’s expanded.
Our friendship might be summarized perfectly by some kind of cheesy but true coffee mug saying like:
Distance means
so little,
when someone
means so much.
Some friendships are rare treasures. Mine with Elizabeth and now ours with Mark and Elizabeth is exactly that – a friendship that has weathered time, distance, and life’s complexities, emerging stronger and more beautiful than ever.
.
Thank you Elizabeth, Mark, Oliver, Lily, Evelyn and Finn (their dog) for hosting us and for all the things you do on a daily basis that make the world a brighter place. Love you guys!
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