Friendships and Choices

I've been thinking some about all of the people involved in our wedding - and also about those who may not be as involved as we'd like.  James and I have a relatively long engagement - about 18 months.  This is presenting interesting dilemmas.  We were engaged in January and waited until late February to ask people to be a part of our bridal party.  It was a difficult thing, choosing from our friends and family to put together our bridal party.  Some people are a given - my twin sister, for one - but then you get into choosing friends, some of which have been in our lives for years while others are more recent friends but have gotten close very quickly.  How do you include them all?  And how do you go about choosing without offending people?  We made our decisions and are happy about them, let me say that first, but as time has gone on I've gotten closer to other friends, too.  Choosing again now, I may make different decisions to be able to include them.  Obviously I can't do that now, but, because I can't help myself, I wonder what I'll think in another 6 months, and then another.  (I know, what a problem...having too many people to choose from to be a part of our wedding and having so many people want to be so involved!  We are truly lucky.)

The whole issue has me thinking of friendships in general.  It's interesting to reflect on the people in my life - those who have been there for me for years and those who I've just met and started to spend time with.  There are people who were such major parts of my life over the years but for whatever reason we've lost touch. (Some of these people I always imagined in my bridal party, but they're not...)  Others have become such a solid presence, I can't believe I've known them for only a few months.  None are more important than others, but friendships are different and serve different purposes.  I'm grateful for all of the wonderful, loving, inspiring people who have blessed my life, and who continue to do so.  If you are reading this and it makes you think of an old friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, call them - they'd love it!