Lessons From Tessa: Part I

Tessa and I have known each other for ten years. It's a long time. And in that time, she has made me smile, laugh, cringe, and, on occasion, get over myself. But more than any of that, she's taught me many, many things. Here's Part I of The List (because lists are great).

1. Regarding Salt. While salt is the best thing on earth, you must always do a salt test lest you ruin your meal. I learned this over the countless lunches she and I ate together, though I specifically remember a plate of fries and chicken fingers at Jillian's that was tragically inedible after some unrestrained salting. Note also that you need to do thorough testing of a new salt shaker before you truly adopt it as your meal companion.
2. "You get to choose." One of her favorite statements. I love it because it not only empowers you to do what you want, it makes only one person responsible for your life: you.
3. Never underestimate the importance of properly melted cheese, especially on cheese fries. We used to eat at a little restaurant which seemed to not understand this concept, even though Tessa would remind the waitress every time (and I would die of embarrassment on the other side of the table).
4. No relationship is a total waste of time if you can get material out if it. This includes not only those of a romantic nature, but friends, coworkers, neighbors, and relatives. (The best material, by the way, comes from relatives -- and usually not yours.)
5. An over-active imagination that you continue to indulge into adulthood is way awesomer than being regarded as down to earth (i.e., nice but boring and with ugly shoes). I'll take a very strong belief that your hotel room is haunted and you have to cover up certain pictures in it or an equally firm resolve that your animals are all taking when you aren't home.
6. The Importance of Lists. Lists are the most wonderful things on earth and creating them the best use of one's time. Note, however that after creating a list, it's significantly less important to actually accomplish anything on it or to follow it. Nothing better than a list.
7. It's OK to think your animals are your kids. But only if you don't actually have kids.
8. The greatest thing in earth is hitting 35. Young enough to not have too many wrinkles and still able to get away with long hair and shorter skirts without looking pathetic, but old enough to start not giving a shit what other people think. When I was 26, she told me that I would be way happier in my 30s. Told me that everything would get better, every year. Except your boobs. Le sigh. And so it goes.
9. A real friend tells you the hard truth. Ah, the verbal/written stop-being-an-ass slap. I know it well. And every time she's given it to me, I so deserved it.
10. Embrace your inner whack job. Whenever possible, bring it out and share with others. When not possible, let it run wild on the inside while appearing calm on the outside. It'll make achingly boring conversations go by faster.

No better friend than you, Tess.