Our Dash Tat

The Dash. It’s that line on a tombstone that is between the year you were born and the year that you died, or as I prefer to say, passed away. I have told you all about this poem before and highly suggest you read it. Then take a moment and read it two more times, let it marinate. I can gush over this poem and the woman who told me about it for ages.

Deanna. My best friend. My soul mate. My sister from another mister. The Australian Laverne to my Shirley. As crazy as this sounds, we are literally the same human, just residing on opposites sides of the planet. In a way we lead completely different lives, but in another way, our hearts and brains work in unison. I realized this about us when we met thirteen years ago in Cassino, Italy. It was basically love at first sight. It was as if we were meant to meet our entire lives, but we were suppose to wait until the time and place were just right. The universe knows how to handle those details. We’re basically the best friend version of a long distance relationship, although we joke often and say that we’re pretend lesbians or sister wives. I have missed Deanna so much I have cried. Shit, I’m crying right now as I write this. And usually if one of us cries, the other starts as well. Actually, I can almost guarantee Deanna is crying right now. As profound as our friendship is, it’s a bit unfair as well. We literally see each other once a year or so for an extended period of time. Say perhaps two weeks. Why would two humans that connect on a cellular level be separated from one another by a half of planet away? How does this make sense? These are questions that we have pondered many times.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that distance makes the heart grow fonder. The amount of space and time that separates us is a bit heartbreaking but it has never once weakened or even tested our sisterhood. Last week I got a “Dash” tattoo to mirror hers. When I see my Dash, I see Deanna. It’s our tiny tat that keeps us present in each other’s life on a daily basis. So even though I can’t see her everyday or even every year, I am reminded of her by our dash. It’s a steady reminder that life is precious and you only get one shot at it so you better live your dreams. Love hard and smile often. And of course, think of my far away friend every single day.           –

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