"I remember telling my boyfriend (now husband) Devendra Prabhu -- when he proposed to me -- that if Pallavi is convinced and approves of him, I shall say 'yes'.
"Although he was a bit dumbstruck, I made sure that my best friend met him before I took a decision.
We'd asked you, dear readers to tell us how you met your best friend.
Mumbai-resident Reshma Prabhu, 38 -- who works in an IT firm -- has been best friends with her childhood pal Pallavi Rajwade Patil (an architect) for 30 years.
My best friend Pallavi is my heart and soul.
We met when we were eight years old. This year, we complete 30 years of friendship (Sorry Pallu for revealing our age).
She was a new entrant in my school St Thomas High School, Goregaon East, Mumbai.
I still remember the day when she stepped into my classroom.
Soon, we got introduced to each other and from then on there was no looking back. We were inseparable.
She was a meritorious student; yet she never made me feel small.
She has always encouraged me to do more and helped me to take the right decision in every step of my life.
We are like sisters and mingle with each other's family.
After passing out from our school, we took up different streams.
We didn't follow each other like how normally best friends do. I think it was kind of a good decision.
The beauty of our friendship lies in the fact that in spite of being strong headed individuals, we never try to overpower each other.
We never feel the need to control each other. We are just available to lend an ear or a shoulder whenever the other needs it.
I remember telling my boyfriend (now husband) Devendra Prabhu -- when he proposed to me -- that if Pallavi is convinced and approves of him, I shall say a 'yes'.
Although he was a bit dumbstruck, I made sure that my best friend met him before I took a decision.
It's only when Pallavi was convinced, I said 'yes'.
In fact, I'd arranged a meeting between them at Goregaon station. Pallavi was convinced and asked me to go ahead.
I also remember how she came to stay at my house, a day prior to my wedding. She helped around the house like a sister.
I was having such a tough time sleeping that night and she was able to sense it.
Like a mother, she kept her hand on my forehead and patted me to sleep.
Her wedding gift -- a carved wooden stool -- is something I still cherish.
It's quite a piece of antique furniture now, and so I don't allow anyone to sit on it. I want to treasure it forever.
She even helped me in designing my first house.
Now, we are both mothers to young boys aged 11 -- Anirudh (Reshma's son) and Arnav (Pallavi's son). It gives us immense happiness to see them play together.
I wish her all the best for her future.
May God bless Pallavi and her family with loads of happiness and good health.
Do you also have a best friend you cannot live without? Where did you meet him/her? Tell us.
Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'My best friend') along with your NAME, AGE and LOCATION.
Kindly, if possible, also include a photograph of your best friend and you, and we'll publish the best entries right here on Rediff.com
