The Golden Girls' Golden Year

Picture it – Norman C. Toole Middle School, 1982. Three twelve-year-old girls – then Pam Russell, LaQuetta Simmons and Marie Cooper – meeting for the very first time. Though we were all different, we became fast friends.

Before we knew it, we were in high school where our friendship continued to blossom and strengthen. Spending our lunch breaks holding up a portion of the wall in the amphitheater at North Charleston High, we quickly became dubbed “The Golden Girls” after the then popular sitcom showcasing three elderly female friends who spent the bulk of their time together. It was actually very fitting since Marie’s quirkiness mirrored Rose’s; my free spirit was similar to Blanche’s; and Pam’s quick wit was all Dorothy. Fast forward four years and we were ready to graduate from high school and take on the world. Though we took different paths leading to lives in different states, we have managed to remain close. Each now married, we have morphed into Pam Gillard, Denise Richardson and Octavia (“Tav”) Nichols.

Here it is the year 2020 and we - The Golden Girls - are celebrating our Golden Year.

It's hard to believe that those little twelve year olds are turning fifty. Five-Zero! Half a century! Pam being the youngest, turns fifty on May 20, 2020. Tav and I both turn fifty on January 15, 2020. Yep, we were born on the same day of the same year. And even in the same hospital. Isn’t that amazing?! In recent years, we discovered that Tav was born two hours earlier than I, which means that she’s the oldest of the group. Hmmmm…maybe instead of being Rose, Tav should be Sophia, the REALLY OLD LADY on the Golden Girls. 😛

I’m so thankful to share this milestone birthday with ladies that have been a very important part of my life for 38 glorious years.

Pam and Tav, happy 50th birthday. Happy 38 years of friendship. I look forward to spending the next 50 years cutting up, laughing, fussing, eating crabs, drinking wine and singing off key with you ladies. You will forever be my Golden Girls!