After about a month of playing phone tag with each other, we were finally able to catch up last night. I was having a bad day before I talked to you. I was feeling stressed out, lonely, and tired. The baby hadn’t slept the night before and my 4-year-old decided to come home from preschool with an agenda to drive me nuts that night. I needed a pick me up. It was just one of those days.

You gave that to me. Just hearing your voice, even though you were 500 miles away, was enough to change my entire night.

We don’t always get to catch up as much as we’d both like. We are both busy. You work full-time, and I’m a busy mom to two boys. Ever since you moved away after high school, we’ve only been in the presence of one another a handful of times.

But, you are still my best friend. We’ve done a great job of staying relevant in each other’s lives. We’ve made the effort.

When others have lost touch with their childhood best friends, we’ve made it through. We may not get to see each other very often, but our love for each other is still the same as it was when we were in grade school. You are my sister. You are a part of me. And now, I’m so excited to see you become a mom for the first time.

Our past few conversations have centered on all things babies. I still remember getting the phone call when I was heavily pregnant with boy #2, that you yourself were going to have your own first baby just six short months after me. I was so excited! I had been waiting for that phone call.

I love how our conversations have become something different. Instead of talking about television shows or me giving you the local gossip from our hometown, now we talk about our kids. Of course, you always used to listen when I’d talk about my babies, but now it is so nice because soon you’ll have one of your own.

As I try to give you some insight on what it’s really like going through labor pains and all of the little things I wish I’d known before having my first baby, I try to keep in mind that you are going through this for the first time. When we were growing up, I always looked up to you. Although I’m technically four months older, you have always been one of my role models.

I’ve always looked to you to see how to handle certain situations. So, it’s very different for me to be in the seat of the one giving advice.

I hope I’m not scaring you with talks of epidurals, things that might happen once you bring him home, or my own tales of parenthood. You know me—I give it to you like I see it. I am not one to sugarcoat. But, I also don’t want to scare you. I know you are nervous. Even though I can’t see you, I know you well enough to sense it in your voice. I was too before my first was born.

I just want you to know you are going to do just fine. As I mentioned last night, when you hold that baby in your arms for the first time, you are going to experience something new. Like the Grinch, your heart will swell three times its original size, and you will totally understand what all the fuss is about. You’ll be a mom. You already are.

No, the entire thing won’t be perfect. You’ll have days you will wonder if you are doing it right. Or you’ll be so tired you can’t see straight. But, you will get through it. It will be the most wonderful thing you’ll ever do. When you look into that little man’s eyes you’ll be so proud.

You will experience a new kind of happiness you’ve never known before.

So, don’t be afraid, my friend. You are not alone. You have a great husband, extended family, and friends who adore you and already love your baby too. I’m not an expert on motherhood, I’ve only been at it myself for four years now. But, just know, I’m always here for you. Even in the middle of the night.

You are so strong! Your baby is so lucky to have you as his mom. You are the kindest person I’ve ever known. You have been an amazing friend to me over the years. I just know you are going to be the best mom.

I can’t wait for this next phase of life for you. You are going to do so great.