Friendship, Beaches, & Tissues

As of right now I'm planning on going to the Wichita Art Museum this morning and maybe to the flea market later on in the afternoon.  I may even stop in at the farmer's market or I may just veg and read all day, who knows.  Right now I would like to give a big welcome to Michelle of red headed book child.  For those of you who may not know her, Michelle is a wonderfully warm person who's opinions I've come to cherish.  If you have never been, go on over to her blog and tell her hi and wish her a great summer.  So for now I'll turn it over to Michelle as she talks about one of her favorite movies, one that always makes me cry.

When Ryan asked me to do a post on Summer, it didn't take too long for Beaches to spring to my mind.  He said to pick a book, movie or music that reminded me of Summer.  There are certainly tons of books I remember reading as a kid during those long hazy summer months, me tucked in a tree, no shoes on my feet.  But the movie Beaches holds a special place in my heart.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of watching this movie, it stars Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey and in brief, here is a description from IMDB.

When the New York child performer CC Bloom and San Fransisco rich kid Hillary meet in a holiday resort in Atlantic City, it marks the start of a lifetime friendship between them. The two keep in touch through letters for a number of years until Hillary, now a successful lawyer moves to New York to stay with struggling singer CC. The movie shows the various stages of their friendship and their romances including their love for the same man.

CC Bloom is played by Better Midler as an adult and she has always been one of my favorite actors.  She is brash, sassy, full of big red hair and the center of attention;  kind of like me as a child.  (okay, a bit more brave!  I just had the big red hair and I thought I was sassy!)  Hillary is more refined, quiet, smart ,curious and a bit shy.  They clash at times but seem to fit together like a glove and grow to be best friends. 

This story and movie hit very close to home because these two girls were very similar to me and my best friend Melina growing up.  Melina was definitely the quieter one, the smarter one and came from a far more privileged family.  We met in 3rd grade and were best friends until she moved in 10th Grade.  We remained close after that for some time, lost contact during college years and now have reconnected due to the joys of Facebook!

Beaches reminds me of summer because of all the time we spent together as kids.  This was one of our favorite movies.  Summers were not only time for us to watch our faves, it was also time for us to hang out at her house near the lake.  Swimming, sun and bonfires! 

The soundtrack to the movie is also special to me because during a particular rough patch in our friendship, she wrote me a beautiful letter, and included the cassette tape of the soundtrack.  She noted that "Wind Beneath My Wings" song and no matter how we grew up and apart, we would always mean the world to one another.

I couldn't have asked for a better best friend growing up.  And that's the power of the movie Beaches.  Friends that you meet as a child and keep through adulthood are precious. 

I watch it now and then and I still cry.

I have the soundtrack in my car and I still know all of the words to all of the songs.  And "Wind Beneath My Wings" can still bring me to tears.  Here it is for your listening (and crying) pleasure.

Beaches is the perfect feel good movie for the summer.  It will remain a favorite of mine and bring up wonderful memories of childhood summers and best friends.

Thanks for Ryan for asking me to write this special post.

Have a Wonderful Summer!

red headed book child