Contrast Essay

  In my short 17 years as being a mother to my lovely daughter Devan, I have had the privilege of meeting most of her friends. Not all of them, some were just a fleeting story or two, then never to be heard of again. On the other hand, there are the girls that have been around for a certain season that she has enjoyed a sport with, such as cheerleading or softball. They always had a lot to chatter about and the occasional whispers, but Haylee has always been there. The two have been practically inseparable since the first day of Junior High. Sure, there has been the occasional girlhood bickering, but they always have seemed to find their way back to each other. Now, believe me, I know my daughter. If someone had asked me seven years ago to line up all of Devans friends at the time, and pick who would be the girl that she stuck with through thick and thin, I definitely would have never picked Haylee. These two girls on the outside are the definition of night and day.
   One of the first differences that any outsider would notice between the girls is their appearances. Haylee could be a model in any outdoors catalog such as Cabelas or The Sportsman's. She wears her hiking boots proudly, usually with a plaid shirt, and would be lost without her L.L. Bean jacket.  Devan, on the other hand looks as though she stepped off the cover of Seventeen magazine. Her shoes have to match her outfit perfectly for the day, (even if they are completely unpractical for the situation) and she refuses to leave the house if she hasn't at least put her "eyes on" and completed her hair.  Haylee could take it or leave it, she wears only enough makeup to accentuate her eyes, and wears her hair usually pulled back away from her face. Both are beautiful girls with totally different styles, but share the strength to know that they don't have to look alike to be best friends. 

  Another difference between Devan and Haylee is their love of kids.  Haylee has a huge family, she was raised as an only child, as was Devan, but Haylee has many aunts and uncles that all have children under the age of six.  Devan has a few aunts and uncles too but, they are mostly living out of state and the few that are around this area aren't old enough for children.  Haylee was an instant babysitter for her family and naturally loves little children and they love her too.  You could say that she is a kid magnet.  Devan on the other hand could go without.  She says that wants a baby someday, but as far as I'm concerned it's going to be many years before I am a grandmother.  Both girls love their freedom, but I can picture Haylee having a baby within her first really serious relationship.

  The two girls also differ widely about their attitudes for achievement. Devan has always been an achiever in school, don't get me wrong now, there are some classes that she has to struggle through such a chemistry this particular year, but she always tries her best. When she knows that her grades are not up to par she sets aside the needed time to work on the assignments or extras that will bring her grades where they need to be.  Haylee is the absolute opposite. She just doesn't care about school, or anything to do with it but her friends. She is a smart girl, and I know that she could definitely do well, but she doesn't drive for it unless the situation is at its final straw and she knows that she will stay behind.

  Even though there are all of the exterior and interior differences between these two girls they have chosen to remain BFFs. They have a few connecting friends but mostly travel in separate circles in school due the their different class schedules but I can count on a visit at one house or the other every week. I believe that they work off each others weaknesses and strengths to better each other in a way that helps both of them. Everyone needs a BFF that can provide the strength that is lacking within ourselves.