Have you seen Jenn at All? (say it fast)

Have you seen Jenn at all? 

That’s a high school joke that hasn’t been put to rest.  It was actually said in the hallway at Dr. John M. Denison as I was supposedly “at the bathroom” but really looking for Jenn so that we could skip class for 5 minutes.

The idea of this post came to me in the summer as I was on a road trip with my sister Sharon.  We were talking about our friends and I mentioned someone who has been a friend of mine since 1990.  Jenn Smith.  

Jenn is one of the greatest people I know.

It was grade 9 and our school was a set of portables in the back yard of another high school as we waited for ours to be built.  I knew her as Jenn Smith, the girl with impeccable fashion sense and a great laugh.  I knew she took the bus from Queensville and everyone wanted to be her friend, myself included.  She wore a colorful sweater with satin dice embroidered on the back, baggy rapper jeans with a black belt, and docks to match. 

I dedicate this blog-post to Jenn.  Jenn Smith.

Over the years, we have had our disagreements.  One of the oldest I can recall, was on a road trip to Florida.  Jenn’s parents (equally awesome people) had generously invited me on a trip to their condo in Clearwater.  Jenn and I rode in the cab of her dad’s black truck.  Tucked away from adult supervision we giggled about the amount of guys we would pick up and what we would “do” with them if we were able to sneak away.  Once we crossed the border, we stopped at a gas station and stocked up on American treats. 

When we got back in the truck, I stole Jenn’s chocolate bar, opened it and took a huge bite.  Ask me why, I have no clue.  But she wasn’t impressed.  Who does that?  Steals food from their friends.

She got over it.  Jenn doesn’t hold a grudge.  Ever.

Jenn.  Jenn is one of those friends who always goes the extra mile.  I have been living abroad for 12+ years now and every single time I come home, Jenn makes a solid effort to demonstrate what our friendship means.  She helps make my visits unique and comfortable and she let’s me join her life with ease.  She involves her family and friends, and she’s flexible and adaptive.

Jenn has always made me feel good enough.  She doesn’t put me on a pedestal or idolize me (well, this is debatable) but she sees me as an equal despite our many differences.  She has never looked down on me, instead, she sees me eye-to-eye.   She talks with me about ideas and life, and she includes me in conversations about hers.  She listens and offers advice; she knows who I am.

 She doesn’t pretend to be perfect or all knowing.  She makes mistakes in the public eye and wears her authenticity with pride and conviction.  This is one of the many characteristics that I admire about her; she doesn’t hide behind a mask. 

I have been muddling with the meaning of friendship this year.  Having set up life in yet another country, and having left my friends once again. 

What I feel extremely fortunate for is to have friends like Jenn to remind me know how everlasting friendship feels, and who don't have me question it for a second.

Thanks Jenn Smith.