You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor

Dear Katie, We’ve been best friends for twelve years now. Even though we now attend separate colleges in different states, I know we will stay friends. I made this mix tape for you - a compilation of songs that we both listened to through the years and songs that I believe embody and describe our everlasting friendship. May these songs remind you of the good times we had together.

When we met in Mrs. Boehly’s Bears first grade class, we both instantly knew that we found a friend. After the moment we met, we were inseparable and we still remain to be. I remember spending almost every second of the day with you during the school year. During “Drop Everything And Read” time, we’d sit together on the bean bag chairs. You were probably reading an insect book while I was reading Arthur or the Berenstain Bears. Then on the way home from school on the bus we’d pretend we were flying a plane together as the bus drove down the hills. Since our houses were 500 feet away from each other, we’d immediately begin the “play date” after school. We’d play Barbies, enslave your brother and his friends to play “house,” or ride bicycles and scooters in the col-de-sac. I remember any day that we couldn’t play together, because you had a dentist appointment or because I had church choir practice, was a boring, horrible day. The days that I we couldn’t play together made me appreciate the days we could. It was just like it is now: I will appreciate the days we do get to see each other after spending countless days apart in different colleges.

Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain

Although the meaning of this song has nothing to do with friendship, I thought it would be a good example of the kind of music we listened to in elementary school. It shows how your music taste did a total backflip, while I still enjoy the pop artists. I remember listening to Shania Twain at your house during our “play dates.” We’d listen to Shania songs as we’d play dress up. Most of the time you’d put on a princess or Pocahontas dress and I’d wear a poodle skirt. But sometimes I’d be goofy and wear your brother’s Batman or Spiderman costume. Then we’d make up dance moves to Shania songs with our outfits, even if I was wearing a Batman costume. We were hoping of having a neighborhood talent show. But good thing that never happened; I feel like our neighborhood friends would question our talent. As I recount the things we did together as kids, our activities seem kind of absurd, but kids can help but to be silly.