I don’t normally blog about specific people in my life, and especially not specific people who aren’t also bloggers themselves, but after I posted the 1000 words worth of photos meme, a couple of people asked me about the woman in #19 – Post a photo with someone you love.

No, she is not my mother (even though, to our great amusement, I have been mistaken for her daughter on multiple occasions!), or any family member at all.

I met Lorraine in 2002 when we were both in a pantomime version of Puss in Boots. Surprisingly in hindsight, I didn’t like her straight away; in fact I was kind of scared of her! I thought she was cool, but also kind of weird and eccentric. My 15-year-old self wasn’t too sure about that! o.O

We both did several more pantomimes after this one, and eventually started becoming friends, as her silly streak (and non-scariness) started to grow on me. Let’s just say that we discovered we have an AWFUL lot in common. Strangely much in fact, for two women who are far apart enough in age to be mother and daughter.

Maybe this is why we get on so well. Although my parents and I get along ok, we certainly do not have the kind of close relationship where I can talk to them about anything and everything without feeling silly or uncomfortable. Lorraine and I have exactly that. I cannot remember the number of times I have called or texted her asking for advice about one thing or another, or just to rant about something I can’t tell anyone else about. It happens a lot.

Last night I was talking to her about a thought I had. A thought to the tune of "What would my relationship with my parents be like if I’d never known you?". She concluded that it probably wouldn’t be much different; I would just have found someone else to talk to. Me? "True, I suppose. Don’t want them though, glad I have YOU!!!"

"You’ll always be my friend, you know too much!"