• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Stay at Home Stylist

  • Home
  • About
    • About Nicole
    • Contact
  • Shop my Looks
  • Amazon
  • Styling Services
  • Virtual Styling Services

My Best Friend

Dec 29, 2017

This is our first grade class picture.  The year that forever changed my life. I can’t help but smile and reminisce when I stare at this photo.  Our childhood years were so pure, happy, and innocent.

32 years ago, my life forever changed.  I started my first day of first grade eager and excited.  I was assigned to Miss Fayne’s class.  She was famous for her high heels and matching outfits.  A young stylish teacher: my year was off to the perfect start!  I was dressed in my favorite ensemble, bangs perfectly combed, ready to meet new friends and learn how to read.  When I gathered on the playground, I noticed a new face.  A tiny girl with long red hair (bangs similar to mine), sparkling blue eyes, and the sweetest smile was staring back at me.  She politely introduced herself as Noel.  How unique.  Noel stood out from the rest that day, and has been doing so ever since.

The torn side symbolizes and confirms the longevity of our friendship. We have weathered life’s trials and tribulations together.  This is one of my favorite photos of us as kids.

Our friendship blossomed quickly.  I learned that Noel moved to Kearny from the shore and did some childhood acting and modeling.  I vividly remember watching her reenact her old commercials for the class and thinking she was so “cool.”   She was so warm and inviting.  I particularly looked forward to our daily lunches in the cafeteria, where I would eat all her round Doritos and homemade chocolate chip bars, courtesy of her talented mom.

I will never forget our trip to Los Angeles to visit my friend Micayla.  It was the first time I ever left Gianna and I am so grateful that Noel was there to get me through.   We had so much fun!

As the years carried on, our friendship grew deeper and stronger.  At a young age, we lost a very close fellow classmate to a horrific tragedy.  This devastating and challenging time bonded us on a level most 9 year olds could never comprehend or fathom.  If Noel wasn’t by my side, it would have been harder to heal and accept.  Her compassion, loyalty, and nurturing demeanor made me feel safe and loved.

We have endured college, graduations, weddings, births, and the saddest times side by side.

Easter desserts, racing over boys, infamous walks down Kearny Avenue, movie nights, her painful driving skills  (even she will attest to this), and thousands of late night phone conversations encompass just a small portion of our larger than life friendship.  My adolescent years were memorable and jovial because Noel was my friend.

I could write an entirely separate post about Noel’s mom. She was one of a kind. Possibly the strongest and most hard working person I know, she loved Noel more than life. A talented cook, a profound storyteller, and an amazing listener, she touched my heart. I loved her so and miss her terribly.   Luckily, I get a glimpse of her everyday through Noel. They are so much alike.  Noel is certainly following in her mom’s remarkable footsteps.

Our jokes, memories, laughs, heartfelt moments, and adventures are endless.  We have endured all of life’s ups and downs together.  I watched Noel go on to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.  Her hard work and dedication to honing her craft was motivating to watch.  She is one of the most remarkable teachers on the planet!  Her work friends rave and boast endlessly about their beloved colleague, and her passion and sincerity towards education and her students is inspiring.

“Fate brought us together to be sisters by heart.”

Noel channels that same passion and compassion into her personal life as well.  She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter and friend.  She has more friends than anyone I know and works hard to maintain and nurture each relationship equally.  She would undoubtedly take the shirt off her back for a complete stranger and strives to bring happiness to everyone she meets.  Some may be thinking, is this friend really human?!  Can someone be that genuine and good?   I assure you she is  real, and I am beyond grateful to call her my best friend, my sister.

Celebrating her birthday last year. It’s pretty awesome to add our babies to the party now!

My only complaint: her tardiness. The girl hasn’t been on time a day in her life!  Hey, they say opposites attract.  She’s the consummate procrastinator, while I am proactive.  Ironically enough, we compliment and support each other sweetly and unconditionally.

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow.”

On New Year’s Eve she turns 37.  I can’t believe we have blown out 32 years of candles together.  Each aging year gets harder to accept and life’s challenges overwhelming at times, but one thing remains constant: our friendship.  Cheers to 37 graceful and beautiful birthdays, an unwavering and solid friendship, and many more memories ahead.  May 2018 be your best year yet!  To find one real friend in a lifetime is a fortune; to keep her is a blessing.   Noel, we are truly blessed!

 

 

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!


I’m Nicole, and Stay at Home Stylist is a fashion blog and full-fledged styling service, geared towards all those mommies and their families, who need a little assistance in regaining their style and dressing their “squad” on a budget!

Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to the blog

Shop the Feed

Archives

Categories

  • amazon
  • Bathing Suits
  • boutiques
  • closet guide
  • Denim
  • Jumpsuits/Rompers
  • Loft
  • matching looks
  • Nordstrom
  • Sweaters
  • Target
  • Uncategorized

Search

Copyright © 2021 · Website by Meyne

Sign up and I'll come to you

New posts will be delivered straight to your inbox

Not today, thanks!

{"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"","openAnimation":false,"exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"10","isAnalyticsEnabled":false}