I chose this quote, because to me the word sweetheart is universal. It’s about the people that remind of us of A.A. Mine’s famous words forever captured as a quote from Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh.
Our ‘Sweethearts’ lift us up, rally when we need them to, hold our hands, and sit quietly offering their presence when we have no words. Spouse, partner, family, friend, all of these can be our sweet heart. A giving heart.
One such friend, a very very dear friend of mine L, is exactly this for me. She is a sweetheart! She is selfless and goes above and beyond to help her friends often to her own detriment. But that is who she is, and that is why she is such a dear. We all have friends like this. As I have said before, I am more than lucky to count these friends on more than one hand, and to have another sweetheart in my husband, KSP.
When my friend L told me about her friend Christine’s beautiful “Sweetheart” necklace, I had seen another one of her necklaces before and loved it (they were on the Bachelor, we won’t digress into my watching that show, please do not think less of me:)), and so I went to take a look.
I love my friend L to pieces and so in honor of her and her friendship, I thought it might be a nice thing to share the spirit of our bond and friendship by offering all of you the chance to recommend a friend who has been a sweetheart to you. Through good and/or bad. Ups and downs. Rights and Wrongs. Old or new. There are no restrictions or parameters.
Leave a comment here, telling me why your friend is or has a sweet heart, or why your sweetheart is deserving of this awesome necklace and on Monday of next week, I will announce who the winner is and share your story, here and on the ‘mynewfavoriteday’ Facebook page.
I do love these stories, because your comments and sentiments warm my heart. Friendship has been a beautiful gift in my life at every point. My sweet heart friends are all amazing, but I also want to tell my own story and I will be getting one of these necklaces myself for the person I am about to tell the story about.
She is an amazing sweet heart. She is my Sister-in-Law. For the past few years I watch as she selflessly supports her husband who has had a number of health issues as well as her 3 grown daughters, one of whom recently had a baby and is living with her and her husband. Her eldest daughter is getting married this year and on top of working and all the other things I just mentioned, she is spearheading the planning of her daughter’s wedding. She gives and gives and never asks for anything in return. She continues to amaze and inspire me, and to not only her family, to her friends as well, she is the ultimate “Sweet heart” and has the sweetest of hearts.
I can’t wait to hear your stories. Long or short, happy or sad. Let’s give our “sweet hearts” some love. If you don’t win the necklace but have someone in mind, you can use the promotional code NEWFAV15 on Christine’s site and receive 15% off site wide through Friday. They might make a lovely new mom, birthday, shower, just because, surprise.
To win the necklace, here are the rules:
1. Leave a comment here telling me about a person with a sweet heart in your life.
2. If you share this story on Twitter, I will give you 2 entries.
3. If you share it on FB, I will give you 3 entries.
If you share on FB or Twitter, please let me know that you did here so I can keep a tally.
Why you ask? Because, it spreads the love. It shows the friends and family that we love, that we care about them. And this community is all about sharing and caring! Let the sharing and caring begin, it will most certainly help make today ‘anewfavoriteday!’
Legal Stuff: I have not been compensated in any way for this post.
Linking up with the lovely Bruna at Bees with Honey!
mynewfavoriteday 
I was going to get to bed early and then I saw your post. I’m compelled to write but I’m in a quandry…which sweetheart (or sweet heart) do I write about? Yes, I’m lucky that I have more than 1 sweet heart to debate over. I do feel blessed. I’m going to skip over my boyfriend, who I call Super Mark on my blog (because he really is a super guy), even though he is the most remarkable man on the face of the earth…really.
I will tell you about my friend Kathy! Kathy and I met several years ago as I was a “greeter” at a church and she was a new family. I was the first person at the church that she and her family met. It’s funny, but we are quite opposite in so many ways…she is quiet, conservative, reserved. I’m anything but quiet, conservative or reserved. And yet, our personalities meshed beautifully and we became best friends quickly.
We spent many mornings walking through the chilly fog and wind in coastal northern CA. I always walked too fast for her (and probably talked too much too), but we always ended our walk with a bagel and drink (diet coke for me, coffee for her). We’d just chat. We could talk about anything and everything. Kathy has always been a wonderful confidant, offering sage wisdom, constant support, and she laughs at my jokes.
We both went through some very difficult times and we each served as the rock for the other. For me, she was there when my marriage fell apart. She shopped with me to fill my new apartment. She helped me pack. She helped me move. She talked her husband into putting together a tv console from Costco. He still hasn’t forgiven me for the amount of pieces in that unit. Throughout it all, we walked and talked.
Then the real darkness fell…the darkness of depression. I really had no idea what depression was until it overtook me. I curled in a ball and cried often throughout every day. She was the one person I could call. She would stop what she was doing and come to just sit with me. Kathy is the one who brought friends together and intervened…took care of my kids, had me visit my mom, and get on some medication. It was a long, lonely road. Kathy stood by my side and held me up when I couldn’t hold myself up. She kept me anchored so that I wouldn’t drift off to sea.
At some point, either before or after my depression (odd that I can’t remember any more) came Kathy’s darkness…the darkness that happens when your young child is diagnosed with cancer. Her son, then 6 years old, had the “flu” that wouldn’t get better and got increasingly worse. He went downhill rapidly when the cancer got going. Her little boy fought for his life. They pumped him with toxic chemicals, they radiated his brain, they gave him one medication after another to counter the side effects of the drug before. They used that medication to kill his cancer and keep his organs functioning. And Kathy cried! The most heartbreaking moment in my life was holding my dear friend in the Pediatric ICU waiting room while she cried for the life of her son. I’ve known heartbreak, but nothing like this. It was my turn to be her rock, her anchor. I did my best to hold her up and carry her when she couldn’t carry herself.
And so we understood each other on a completely new level because of heartbreak, because of fear, because of depression. We just “got” it with each other. And what still amazes me is that she allowed me the space to grieve my own losses and have my own down days while she was going through the medical crisis of her son’s. I always felt guilty because my problems weren’t life or death. She never indulged that guilt of mine, reminding that my problems were painful too. Incredible.
We also celebrated life with each other. We enjoyed the successes of each other’s kids. We walked our dogs together. We shared books (and I teased her because 1 read 3 books to her every 1) and discussions over them. We sat through painfully long t-ball games together. We talked spiritual issues, relationships with God. We laughed together and commiserated over the antics of our children…always done in a soft way with Kathy…gentle and kind.
Fast forward a few years…I moved from northern Calif to Southern Calif. I needed to start my life over, be near my family, go “home.” She grieved my move. We cried when I left but talked on the phone a lot. I’d visit and we’d walk and talk. And then she moved across the country. Even though we didn’t live near each other, i grieved her move. Across the country is a far way away. We still talk…often. We still support one another. We are still each other’s “go to” person. There is a bond that will forever remain. Without thought or hesitation, I can tell you I am blessed to have Kathy in my life, I am a better person for having Kathy as my friend.
(As an update to her son’s health…that little guy fought a hard fight. He was adorable with no hair and even cuter when it started growing in. He did a year of chemo, was off a few short months when the cancer returned. He then tried a new protocol for 2 years (with few side effects), went quickly into remission and has been cancer free since. It has been a year of no chemo and he’s a very healthy, happy 5th grader.)
PS. Will tweet and FB (@tempolifecoach, http://www.facebook.com/tempolifecoaching
Ah, Carrie – thanks for starting my day with thankful tears; you are a true blessing to my life! We share quite a journey. I vote for you to win the prize – you are my prize!
I’m off to get my happy, healthy 5th grader off to school. 🙂 Call you later.
Kathy
Kathy, your story and friendship with Carrie is so so lovely. I was on edge until the end of Carrie’s story and I am so so so happy you are picking up your happy healthy 5th grader. You are clearly a dear friend and I am so happy Carrie shared your wonderful friendship here! Happy ‘newfavoriteday!’
My sweetheart is my daughter, MaryAnn. She is my best friend and my rock. We have been through so much together its hard to put into words. I have been a single parent to her most of her 23 years; so seeing her daily has never been an issue. Its about to be though, because she is ready to take flight….and move out on her own. Just the thought of not seeing her daily breaks my heart!
But I know its time, and she’s ready, and I will have to be. She has given me drive from day one, i don’t know where i would be without her!
My sweetheart is my cousin Dorothy, more affectionately known as simply, D. She lives in Canada and I live in California, and sometimes the distance is unbearable. She is just one year older than me and I’ve always looked up to her. We grew up together, spending most summers together at one house or another. Of course, as adulthood came upon us, we are lucky to see each other in person but once a year if even for a day. Although by direct relation she is my cousin, I’ve always thought of her as my sister. She knows everything about me and accepts me for who I am, every single flaw. I can tell her anything and everything and she never judges me. Most of the time D supports me and currently she is going through a bit of a rough patch, so while I’m not glad she is going through a tough time, I’m glad I can finally give back to her the same support she always unselfishly gives to me. I’m so lucky to have D in my life, and so grateful as I know not everyone is so fortunate to have this kind of person in their life. She’s one of a kind. She is my cousin, my sister, my best friend. I love you D, am always thinking of you, and planning how and when I can see you next!
I will post on my FB page too: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=588717287
Emily, thank you for sharing your story! Your relationship with D sounds amazing and so sorry to hear that she is going through a rough patch. I am sure she is so grateful to know she has you and you are supporting her even if it’s further away than you both would like. I wished I was closer with cousins and I love hearing stories of people who are. So lovely. ❤ Shannon
My sweetheart is my husband “M”. We have known each other since childhood, but were never an “item” until 6 years ago. I thank the heavens for bringing him back in my life. I truly believe he is my angel. He has had plenty to put up from being with me. Being in a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder is not easy in any way. I would say, it’s quite challenging. Of course, I am referring to myself. I am the one who has bipolar disorder. The first few years we were together I kept trying to push him away, a sort of “warning” that I would hurt him and that he would probably eventually leave me anyway. But he never listened to those “warnings”, he stayed with me. He has been by my side through many suicide attempts, many para-suicidal behaviors, and many hospitalizations. Not once losing his patience. Always believing in me.
I haven’t made it easy for him. Yet, through all of this, he always tells me how much he loves me and how I am his angel. Not once in these 6 years has he berated or belittled me because of my “disability”. He has accepted me as I am, totally and completely. I would say what we have is unconditional love. He has had to take care of me many times. He keeps my medications locked up because of my history of overdosing. He gives me my medications in the morning and at night. He has done this for years now, and not once has he complained about it. He has never made me feel and less of a person because of my disorder. He has never said anything negative towards me.
He makes me feel like the most important person in the world to him, which is also tells me.
He has been criticized by many for being/staying with me. Some of his family members have asked him why he has stayed with me, and he always sticks up for me, only saying positive stuff. A few times, while being hospitalized from suicide attempts, he has had nurses actually ask him “why are you with her?” “how can you put up with her behavior?” and again, always stuck up for me and stating how much he loves me.
He is my rock. I was so unstable for so long, I didn’t think I would make it this far. With him, I have that stability I always needed. He saved me, he saved me from myself and taught me how to truly love someone and most importantly, he showed me how to love myself. I believe he is my soul mate. We are on the same wavelength in so many ways.
One thing I only thought happened in movies, happens to us! I will be thinking of something, anything and even random stuff, then he will say it a minute later! The same goes for me. It has become a little game. I like to beat him to it and say whatever it is we are thinking before he says it. It’s strange and funny at the same time.
It is truly amazing. He is truly amazing. And definitely, together, we ARE amazing 🙂
This is so so so lovely G. Mr. M is certainly your angel and you his. Your story is heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. So thankful he has been a rock, and a net for you as you have and continue to battle your disability. You are far from disabled as you have a great deal of light, but I am so happy that M is there to keep that light alive. Thank you for sharing. Xo
❤
It is easy to choose my sweet-heart friend –there is only one. L. Our friendship amazes me constantly–it is filled with love, mutual respect, honesty. She is the only person in my life who I can count on to not judge or hold a grudge. She lifts me up even when I don’t realize I was down. We met in college and have grown closer each year since (25 years…). She is the only person in my life who I know will not take things I say and hold them against me in the future. There’s never the reminder–you said you would, you said you wouldn’t…. We just see things the same way–when we gossip about people we hardly have to talk, we’re thinking the same thing. Sharing comes so naturally for us. Our children are friends and I love that they see our “model friendship.” Without ever trying, they see our care and respect for each other. I believe my children are inspired to seek a true friend and value him/her –knowing that they might find true friendship to be rare and immeasurable.
Thanks for asking!
Shari, thanks so much for sharing your L with us. Your friendship sounds amazing and it warms my heart. I love it when silence can be just as full as words with our sweet heart friends. ❤
That is my favorite quote of all time.
My friend Donna Gray is the sweetest of hearts. She stands up for me, comforts me, seeks me out when I isolate, lets me comfort her, makes me laugh, caresses my shoulder when I cry, takes me to safety when I am sick, supports my radical love actions, calls emergency meetings to come to my rescue, understands me and my moods without explanation, accepts me, feeds me healthy food, reminds me to be gentle with my enemies, teaches me new things, introduces me to new cultural experiences and perspectives, lets me call her Donna Momma, smiles accepting smiles at me, trusts me with her family, opens her secret heart to me, loves me, and she introduced me to mangoes. My twitter share is under @VeronicaFitzHug, and my facebook share is under Veronica Haunani Fitzhugh, Thank you for having this contest.
Veronica this is so beautiful. It sounds like Donna is a dear friend indeed and you have something very special. Thank you so much for sharing a piece of you both with me.
Yes, Donna is one of the dearest friends I have ever known. Thank you for letting me share about how wonderful she is. 🙂
My best friend and I met each other at Gymboree — that insipid little place — when our sons were 11 months old. As fate would have it,our sons gravitated toward each other and so did we. While they played, we learned we had both been English teachers. And that we both loved horses. And that we had both played the flute.
And then we found out we lived less than 3 miles away from each other.
Over the next few months, we began spending every day together with our small boys learning everything about each other. I tearfully explained that I would only be able to have one child, and I was there with her when she learned this would be the case for her as well.
We talk to each other nearly every day, and we are always there for each other. We have a pact that we always take the other person’s phone calls. I know I can call her in the middle of the night, and she knows the same is true for her.
I love her. She is the sister I always wanted but never had. I would love to give her something special. And I love that you are honoring loving friendships. What a beautiful idea. 😉
I LOVE your story:) Picturing you at Gymboree and then next thing you know here you are, countless talks, coffees, bumps, and hugs later. Thank you for sharing this with me. It’s exactly why I am so happy to celebrate friendship. It’s a gift worth celebrating:)!
Shannon Pruitt
I shared on Facebook on my page and I tweeted you, too! You are going to need to make an Excel spreadsheet! 😉
My best friend and I have what would be considered by many to be a fairly “new” relationship .. we had met in 2009 when our kids (her 2nd of 3 and my only) were in the same JK class but didn’t really become friends until a year later. People who see us together, experience us together, though, often think we grew up together. We “clicked” almost immediately upon getting to know each other and our love has only grown since then. She knows when I am down (or need to be brought down) without asking and takes whatever steps are necessary to put me back on track. We work well together on any number of projects. She takes my son when I need her to, she makes me tea, she makes me smile when I don’t think it’s possible. She is the one person in the 18 years since my brother passed away who has made December bearable again. She makes it okay to sit together and not say a word. I know in my heart that what we have found will never fade and I am thankful every day that we were brought to each other by whatever force is in charge.
I love your story because true friendship need not have years of history to be real and genuine. This sentence touched my heart, “She is the one person in the 18 years since my brother passed away who has made December bearable again. ” She must indeed be very special to do this for you. Thank you so much for sharing your story, your friendship and some of your heart with me.
Lovely and one of my favorite Pooh quotes. 😉