This past weekend was the annual Mopipa Sleepover slash Secret Santa gift exchange, hosted by yours truly (I’m the only one thus far who has my own crib, so it makes it easier for me to host 6 cackling wino-ed women who sometimes think they are still 14 year old girls). I realize it was a Christmas party well after Christmas, but it ain’t easy finding a free weekend before the holidays with so many other Christmas related shindigs and get togethers – getting all six of us together is almost always a mission. Plus, it feels kind of like the holidays snuck up this year out of nowhere.
What you wonder is a “Mopipa” though? Well, a Mopipa is a person first off, rather the Mopipaz (plural) are a group of people. Six people. A group of six girlfriends who have been friends for the majority of their lives. The term “Mopipa” was coined when we were in the 8th grade and has stuck around ever since. It is synonymous with our “clique” if you will. It is what we are known as and referred to. It is part of our individual and collective identities. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our shared histories make it easy and carefree and natural being together. We all know each other longer than we’ve probably known anyone else, and with that comes a way of just BEING around each other. I’ve never had a sister, but I liken the relationship of the Mopipaz to a sisterly one. We love each other and sometimes hate each other all at the same time. We fight and we make up, even if sometimes there has been years in between. We have many similarities but we also have many differences. We’ve grown into a varied assortment of personalities and beliefs and values – we no longer form a collective opinion on clothes and crushes and moral conundrums. We are all at various points in our lives. But at the end of the day, how many people can say that they continue to have a close knit group of girlfriends that they have known for years upon years, some even 20 plus years? Not many, that’s for sure. I consider myself so blessed to be a part of this “sisterhood” (for lack of a better word), because I know that despite everything, despite every accumulated annoyance and drama that comes with knowing people that long, I know that these women will be there in my life no matter what. Sometimes water can be just as thick as blood. I know that we will continue to share life’s biggest moments together and that we are all a part of one another’s life story. With them I know that I am surrounded by love, and laughter (ALWAYS laughter).
Some snippets:
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