I have this friend called Jonathan

He is tall and very funny.

And that's where the Charlie and Lola homage ends because I do not watch enough of it to do it justice, if on the other hand I were to do an homage to Fireman Sam I would be unstoppable and in fact Hit Entertainment might just commission me to write their next series.  I know EVERYTHING there is to know about Ponty Pandy.

I digress.

Jonathan.  Right about now he is the very best friend any girl (or indeed woman of 37) could ask for.

We have been emailing alot lately about when we might meet up (he lives in Singapore), me feeling that I can't really justify the cost of a trip somewhere half way between him and me and battling my guilt monster over leaving the children.  Him, being persistent in classic Jonathan fashion. 

This has been going on for some time.  In the back of my head I think I'd all but given up on the idea.  How could I do that?  Jet off for a few days.  I have responsibilities, children, a job, a mortgage to pay. 

Maybe it's because this blog is such an open door into my deepest feelings or maybe it's just because he's a really bloody good friend, but yesterday morning I woke up to this email. 

can we confirm the date? 8-11th?

> shall we stay somewhere stunning? i'm happy to pay for the hotel hol, you just worry about your flight ok?

> it would be my birthday present for you (coupled with guilt payment for being a shit friend)

> well shit in terms of contact not in terms of never thinking about you and my goddaughter which i do do often

Just to be clear.  He is absolutely not a shit friend, never has been.  He is the type of friend that I can pick up with where we left off no matter how long it's been and what has happened in our lives.  He has a knack for bringing out the good things in your life and making you believe you really are a pretty amazing person.

I am a very different person from when I first met him.  At the time I was young, carefree and working at one of the most notorious PR agencies in London.  We had a ball (but we bitched without mercy about our bosses and clients).  We clicked and formed a very strong bond.  As you know we then went on a cracking holiday to Singapore where we caused mayhem on the flight with Bonnie Tyler.

Since then, well you know since then.  Children, marriage, responsibilities.  Good but different.

Anyway the fact I now have this remarkable and amazing trip to look forward to fills me with excitement.  I know I'll miss the girls and I know it will be hard leaving them, but I also know it will do me good and it will do them good to do some bonding with their Dad. So actually I'm being REALLY selfless and only really thinking of others.

Wow - see what I did there?  That's why I work in 'spin'.  Clearly.