If you’ve ever had a good anchovy(or friend), you’ll want more.

Has you world ever been turned upside down? Have you ever found yourself in a 180 degree position on something? For always, I would say, if asked, “There is no food I hate except anchovies.” Then one day, I ate one by accident, and said “What is that exquisite taste?” It shocked the hell out of me.

When I became friends with Cheryl, decades ago, my view on friendship also did a 180. Not right away of course, because a shared history takes time and plays a role in the strength of a relationship. Before I met her, friends felt at times burdensome; just too much drama. Who needs too much drama in their life? I had people I called friends and was social enough, but I could never really let anyone “in.” It was as if I was playing a role in a bad play, acting, but never truly playing an authentic character, the role of me. Until Cheryl.

The credit for the change in my view on friendship 100 percent goes to Cheryl. What was different about her than all the “friends” that came in and out of my life before I met her? Her authenticity, her loyalty and unconditional friendship. Because she gave the gift of herself to me, I let her “in”, and gave the gift of myself to her.

Never ever did we fight. We disagreed, but we did so with grace. We lifted each other up at every juncture with encouragement and praise and as a bonus, we had fun. So often, we were silly and laughed till our sides hurt. It’s amazing how easy it is to laugh with someone when you feel at ease with them, at home. As well, when needed, we had a shoulder to cry on. It’s hard for me to imagine, just like the exquisite taste of that unexpected anchovy, that anyone would say NO to a friendship like ours.

Our friendship continues to this day. Sometimes a month can go by and we don’t talk or see each other; maybe just a text here and there, but the bond is unbreakable. What being friends with Cheryl has taught me is to enjoy people, to let them in and to be myself. All of us like doing our own thing. We have the business of life to take care of; consequently limits on time. Some of us are extroverts, some introverts, and maybe some of us are ambiverts, somewhere in between, but I’d say all of us could find value in a true friendship. I’d say I’m an ambivert. I really like my alone time, but I also, mainly because of Cheryl, see the value in connecting with people. She is a treasured gift and like anchovies made me believe in possibilities.

If you don’t have a Chery in your life, may you be blessed with one, and for the hell of it if you don’t like anchovies, well...that’s an unopened can for you to decide to open.