Best Friends for 47 years

I am writing this because normally friendships don't last this long. I was born in 1970, she was born in 1971. We met because we were neighbors, and became best friends and sisters through the years. We've done life together, growing up, boyfriends, graduations, husband, kids, their graduations. Rita has two kids Doni and Joshua. I have four (Appiffany, is an angel now) John, Jaydell, and Lola. We laugh because her daughter Doni and my daughter Lola are both named after her mom and dad. Even funnier to me of how the world goes around, my cousin's name is Ella (Joella, Gram) and Rita's new great-niece or nephew will be named Avery (Uncle). I decided to document this because I think it's weird when I speak to someone and they don't have a friendship this long. Rita and I are coming up on 50 years of friendship, so I have decided that it was time to cement it. People ask me, how does it feel to have a friend that long? I always ask them, how does it feel NOT to have a friend that long? It is because I don't know, we have known each other the majority of our lives. You know you are great friends, when one goes away and whenever you guys talk, you don't skip a beat. You get together and pick up right where you left off. In the beginning, we played in between our yards, mostly hers. Any kid game, we played Jax, 1,2,3 redlight. As we got older we played double dutch, skated all around, every game. Went to Cavallo's store often. Our big thing was riding bikes, we rode bikes from sun up, until I had to go in for bible class. I know she must've gotten frustrated, it seems my mom would look out the window and wait until we were right in the middle of a game and I had to go in. We had bible class, before leaving, at noon if we were home, and in the evening before dinner. Rita would ask, can you stay out today. I would ask my grandmother, of course, she said yes. Not (DOROTHY, my mom) though. It seemed her answer was always No. Now that I think back, maybe she was trying to protect me, from what? I don't know, I don't think she ever said yes when she was around. Our childhood was great, we would go to the movies. Hang out at the plaza when we got away with it. As we got older, she went to Wilby High School and I went to Kaynor Technical High School; we befriended other friends but always came back together. Rita and I always seemed to end up in the middle of something, we always were removed, somehow. Always there for one another, we accepted our extended friendships, but no matter what it was not ever going to be a Rita and Sherry. We always knew that we could talk about anything and get honest answers, laugh, cry, anything. I am so grateful because even though we are not alike, we are alike. We both allowed each other to grow into the beautiful souls that we are today. Through every trial and test, no matter where one of us may be at if the other knows we will be there shortly and pick right up where we left off. Great friendships do not always come your way but when one does cherish it, nurture it, and love it. Especially during these crazy times, I know she knows I say anything that comes to my mind, she quietly smiles and says Sherry you know that is not my thing and lets me go on. So much more to share but I have to talk to my Bff first. Until then, we are coming up on 50 years of friendship Rita, we gotta celebrate something Special and Big. How can we top a friendship like this? We can just add to the beauty of it, more memories.