A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time

Friendships come and go, but every once in a while, you find a bond so strong that no distance, time, or life event can break it. That’s the story of my two best friends and me- Shanti and Melissa—forty five years of laughter, tears, adventures, and unwavering support. A true roller coaster ride, but one we wouldn’t trade for anything.

We met as kids, in a kindergarten, in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan and grew into teenagers navigating the chaos of high school, and then into women shaping our own paths. Life took us in different directions—miles apart, different careers, separate families—but never once did we drift away. No matter where life placed us, we always found our way back to each other.

We’ve celebrated victories, whether it was career milestones, marriages, or the births of our children. We’ve held each other through heartbreak, personal struggles, and the unimaginable pain of losing their fathers and getting through tough moments with my father being sick now.

Through every challenge, every tear, every moment of doubt, we’ve been the voices of reason, the shoulders to cry on, and the ones who remind each other of our worth.

Our yearly holidays together have been our sacred tradition—our girls’ getaway, where we reconnect, reminisce, and remind ourselves of the magic of our bond. Whether it’s lying on a beach, hiking through a new city, or simply sharing a bottle of wine in a cozy Airbnb, these moments are our reset button. We laugh until we cry, share our deepest fears and silliest memories, and sometimes, we even fight. But the love never wavers, because we know that in the end, we are each other’s home.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a friendship that withstands the tests of time, but we are blessed beyond words. Through every high and low, we’ve held on, proving that true friendship isn’t about proximity—it’s about the unbreakable connection of hearts.

Here’s to my best friends forever (BFF), Shanti and Melissa—forty five years down, and a lifetime to go.