Here is the story of me and my BFF, Lizzy.
Our story of friendship began when I first moved to Virginia from Florida and literally had zero friends.
I moved to Virginia to be a caregiver for my 90-year-old grandma.
As much as I love my grandmother, she’s not really the best person to take to crowded bars and loud concerts…
Sorry, granny.
Therefore, the extrovert inside led me to legitimately google, “How to make friends in your area?” — With the utmost desperation to meet people my age.
As the internet pushed out multiple ideas, I saw one that recommended using an app to make friends called, Bumble BFF.
Living in a society thriving off social media, I figured Bumble would be a good start to meeting new people in my town.
So naturally, I followed through with making an account, with a rather pitiful bio stating something along the lines of…
“New to town! I love coffee, brunch, and girls’ nights! Let’s hang (:”
When deep down, I wanted to put into my Bumble Bio…
“I am living with a 90-year-old and begging someone my age to be my friend, because if I have to talk about socks and Medicaid one more time, I’m gonna cry.”
Safely, I opted for the first bio, which is just as cringeworthy and desperate.
(Way to be cool Annie.)
I thought the idea of finding a friend on an app was ridiculous.
Finally, however, I put my pride aside, uploaded pics of myself doing fun things, and began to swipe.
If you don’t know, Bumble is a dating app, but it also has a BFF mode (to make friends) and Bumble Biz mode for networking — which is actually pretty awesome and innovative.
As I swiped, I saw a range of people from navy wives with three kids to dark and dreary goth queens.
Nothing wrong with either of those things!
Although I was 23, single, had no kids, was freshly out of college, and wanted friends that matched that similar lifestyle.
I swiped on many potential Bumble BFF people when I finally matched with Lizzy!
Assessing her profile, I saw that she was my age, without children, and appeared to share the same hobbies as me.
However, meeting people online and through apps can be very scary.
I was hoping I was befriending a cool girl my age and not a serial killer. However, my extroverted soul was deprived, so I banked on the latter.
We made awkward small talk over Bumble BFF messenger, seeing if our personalities meshed to be friends… little did we know it would turn into an everlasting friendship.
We soon found out we both were going to the same country concert later that week, and decided to combine our friend groups to attend!
As soon as we met, it was an instant bond.
Here is a picture of our first Bumble BFF meet up !
(Picture taken summer of 2017)
Lizzy and I clicked immediately, because we both had gregarious spirits and were down for anything.
Once our first friend date at the concert ended, more adventures began!
We went to baseball games, had endless beach days, attended wine festivals, Christmas parties, bar crawls, concerts, anything you could possibly think of!
Even if we were just grabbing a cup of coffee, it became the most fun and memorable outing.
As our friendship grew, I learned so much about my newfound friend.
Lizzy is the kind of person that you can talk to for hours.
Our conversations ranged from deep and meaningful discussions — to silly and hysterical randomness.
I learned how much Lizzy has a caring heart, bold personality, and genuine spirit.
Over our years of friendship, she has always been the first to support me in some of the most challenging times of my life.
Lizzy also is the first to call me out on any bullsh*t.
She is a friend who gives criticism in a firm but kind manner — which is hard to find.
Just like any relationship, Lizzy and I have had our arguments. BUT, I know she’s a true friend because our conflict is always healthy.
Just like an old married couple, we can get annoyed with each other, but we love one another at the end of the day.
We always wanted to resolve our disagreements because growing as friends was more important than losing the rare companionship.
Lizzy is the kind of friend you can call and say, “wanna take a day trip to the mountains tomorrow?” and she would say yes, in a heartbeat.
Her spontaneity has inspired me to live life more freely.
What makes our friendship so unique is how we balance each other out.
She brings the elegance and poise, while I provide the goofiness and whimsical energy.
I know I can always come to Lizzy with my darkest secrets, and she would never judge or hate me.
She has even come home with me for the holidays and was easily accepted as part of the fam. Because that’s what she is, family.
We have supported each other through our toughest heartbreaks and losses. We are each other’s first phone call, when we are about to burst into tears.
We also celebrate each other’s life successes! Which include me graduating with my Master’s Degree and her getting engaged to her long-term boo thang ♥️
We are each other’s therapists, partners in crime, and confidants.
(Picture taken in August 2021, MY GIRL ENGAGED!)
Some people are not lucky enough to find friends like Lizzy. She is a one-of-a-kind human being.
She honestly is so much more than a friend; she is my sister.
We met at a silly country concert through an app (of all things) in 2017.
Now in 2021, we still are just as close, with many more memories to make.
I hope everyone finds themselves a Lizzy because she is a lifelong Bumble BFF I’ll be forever thankful for.
Best Wishes ~
