Old Friends

When you are a military brat, longtime friends from youth are hard to come by.  What a blessing for me to have this couple, who I've known since the 6th grade, as friends.  They are as common as dirt and proud of it.  But they have this relationship that is so envious, it hurts.  How does one even get to that level? 
When I need a shoulder to cry on or a good laugh, they are my go to folks.  They have had their share of sorrows and misfortune, but they always stay together and work through it .  Recently the guy kicked our mayor in the butt because he insulted the wife.   What a gutsy thing to do; how many 40 year married couples still protect their spouse so fearfully? 
Tonight I needed a friend so we just dropped in. We talked for 3 hours and could have kept going but for time.  He told a story of a fall at work that had us laughing until our sides were splitting!  It was great and for that much needed release of laughter, I am eternally grateful.