My Best Friend

By Alana Miles
guest columnist

“Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.”

– Misty Copeland

Do you remember, as a child, riding in the passenger seat while one of your parents drove you somewhere and all of a sudden, they had to slam on the brakes and their right arm simultaneously extended in your direction? It was a knee-jerk reaction to prevent you from flying through the windshield. It was just automatic – a reflex. They did it without even thinking. Their instinct was to protect you. Whether you were wearing a seatbelt or not, it didn’t matter. That arm was coming your way with the intention of keeping you safe.

Well, fast forward a few years. My best friend does that. When Robert and I are riding in the car, if he has to stop quickly, it rarely fails that he will extend his right arm and put it out in front of me. And do you know what else happens when that happens? I melt. How blessed am I that after all of the years we’ve been together, his first instinct is still to protect me?

We met at Hinds Community College in 2002. I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. We had Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa together. He was the president of both organizations and I was smitten early on. I was captivated by his ambition and how driven he was to make a difference. He drove a truck and he lived on a farm. This was unchartered territory for a “city girl” like me and something about his calm demeanor assured me that he was someone I wanted to get to know.

Long before we got married or even started dating, he was my best friend. I used to tell people that he was like a male version of me. We shared the same values, sense of humor, and faith. We were alike in so many ways. But we were also very different in a lot of the ways that matter the most. Some of my major weaknesses are his main strengths. He’s able to prop me up when I’m down and I hope that I’m able to lighten his burdens, as well.

I used to hear the saying that the older you get, the smaller your circle becomes. I guess that’s probably true. And honestly, I’m fine with it. When your husband is your best friend, you truly are blessed. As we’re reminded in Ecclesiastes 4:10, “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” And I have been blessed. I hope you have, as well.