Labels Are Not For Human Consumption

I have a friend who often uses the term "BFF" in her posts.  

Now, even though I have known her for years and know she would do anything in the world for me, and vice versa, whenever she refers to her BFF, it ain't me.

That hurts my heart a little bit every time I read it. Granted, her father used to proudly and loudly call me the "daughter I never had," and my friend would say, "Daddy! I'm standing right here...I can hear you!"  We would all laugh, and I would get back to work selling her papa's wares at Farmers Market, something I loved to do because he always gave me my props as a salesgirl, saying, "Kim, get down there and break the spell on that corn!"  And I would happily jump behind the pillars of corn and sell, sell, sell until it was all gone.  To my knowledge "the BFF" has yet to do that. 

It's not a competition, though. It's just called being polite, having manners, considering your OTHER friends and that they, too, have feelings.  I love my friends, all my friends, too much to pigeonhole them into a bin with a sticker on it.  They have many, many facets, each of them, and I love all their emotions, all their moments, all their faces, all their human-ness.

Even though she never names her specifically, my friend's BFF is someone she's known for a little over a year, and she's a nice lady, someone I've never met yet, but I hear she's a sweet, intelligent, articulate gal, and I have nothing against this person. I really don't.

However, all my friends are my best friends forever.  They don't NEED for me to tell them that. They know it. They know I will get up early in the morning or late a night and come to their emotional rescue whenever they need me. They know I will defend them to the ends of the earth. They know I will lift them up when they are down. They know I am a good friend.  They know I can and will pray with them or their loved ones in person or on the phone, no matter what time of day.   

Yeah, I have a big heart.  However, that colossal coronary mass of muscle I carry around in my chest suffers a lil hairline fracture every time I see BFF references when used by my friend, who I have always, always been nothing but nice to and supportive of.  It's the exclusion that hurts.  Not the designation of this ladybug using a phrase popularized by Paris Frickin Hilton. Coz Paris, she is so last decade, isn't she?  I'd rather hear talk about a GagaGal than a BFF, quite honestly.

I'm ending sentences with prepositions, which is a sign that I need coffee ... and a little love today wouldn't hurt, either.  I have lost three friends - which is most likely why this labeling and superlative naming is hurtful - in the last 48 hours and even though I know they are in a better place, I am a little more than sad today and the tears haven't stopped.

But Happy Day After Valentines Day, all my Lambchops!  Yes, I will call you Lambchop, but I won't label you. I just loves ya all :)

peace,

Kimmy