Best Friends

I moved to Pensacola when I was three, and soon after started in a 3 yr old pre-school class.  Two of the girls I met in my class I’m still best friends with today – Britton and Laura.   Britton and I only went to school with for that one year, yet we remained friends throughout elementary, middle, high school, college and now into adulthood.  I was the maid of honor in her wedding and her son is my godson.  Laura and I went to school together a few years longer (through about 3rd grade), but again remained friends throughout grade school, college and now as adults.  Our children all go to preschool together now.  I have wonderful childhood memories of spending the night with both these girls and playing dolls for hours and hours. They have been and always will be true friends.

True friends are hard to find, but I think Mac may have found one in Jack P.  Anyone who knows Mac has heard about his best friend Jack P.  He has always referred to him as Jack P.  Not Jack.  Not Jack Phillips.  Just Jack P, and Jack P has always referred to Mac as Mac Gilmer.  Every time they see each other they yell, “Mac Gilmer!”  “Jack P!”  Then they run full speed to one another and embrace (lately their father’s have been encouraging high fives instead of a full blown bear hug.  I though love the innocence their bear hug!)

Jack P’s mommy and I have been friends for years, but hadn’t seen each other much until she moved back to Pensacola a few months before Jack was born.  Mac and Jack were born 3 weeks apart and met for the first time at Britton’s baby shower.

We got the boys together a time or two the first few years, but as best I can recall their friendship began when they started 2yr old preschool together in the turtle class.  It is impossible to explain the bond they have, but I truly believe Mac loves Jack like a brother.  In the past two years with all the changes in likes and dislike of a 2, 3 and now 4 yr old boy, Mac has never waivered on who his best friend is – Jack P. 

One of the first few weeks of preschool the teacher told us that Jack bumped his head really hard in the gym last week. He was crying and Mac ran over and put his arm around Jack and Jack cried on Mac’s shoulder. All the teachers were on the verge of tears at how sweet the boys were to each other at just 2 yrs old.  

The boys first spent the night together at Christmas when they were 3 1/2.  I thought Jack P’s mommy was crazy for inviting Mac over, but he made it all night and never once asked to come home.  Since then the spend the night parties have continued successfully with a few very early morning wake-ups by Mac who is always anxious to start playing with Jack P as soon as “the sun is awake!”  

The Mac and Jack stories could go on for days.  Ranging from their affection towards one another – they have hugged and kissed each other more times than any of us want to count – to the countless times they have fought over a toy, where to sleep, whose leg was touching the other’s, what movie to watch, who was taller, etc.  They truly act like brothers and are able to fight one minute and play together the next without ever missing a beat. 

I quickly pulled some of my favorite Mac and Jack pictures for this post. 

  By far one of my all time favorite pictures.  Best friends pee pee together!

      Jack got Mac this toy for his birthday.  Mac is obsessed with animals (and dinosaurs in particular).  Jack loves cars and trucks.  Jack was thrilled to find a toy that is “both our favorites” and Mac was just as thrilled to receive it!  

 

So far the only year Mac and Jack were in school together was when they were two.  After that Jack moved to another school.  I worried they would grow apart when they didn’t see each other daily, but regular requests to play together, Sunday school and a few joint family vacations have kept the friendship alive.

Its fun to now watch Mac little brother (Copey) and and Jack’s little sister (Frances)become friends.  Frances is the sweetest, cutest, little girl and she loves Coe.  Now that she has shared her ice cream with him, he loves her too!

     

Thanks Lacy and Jeff for sharing your children with our family!