Forming friendships is a normal human activity that everyone does in their lives. And of the friendships we forge, there are some we consider higher than others, more close to our heart. And no matter how far apart these "special" friends live from us - their friendships mean more and stay true and pure irregardless of the distance between us. Their friendships also remain true despite the fact that we sometimes go years without seeing one another. I am proud to say that while I have friends here in Brooklyn that I see every day - very few people are as close to me as the friendship that was formed between Arthur, Montel and myself.

I met Arthur at the first South Park Convention in June of 2001, and I met Montel a month later when I visited her in her hometown of Juneau, Alaska. But when they both came to my house for the first Hallowein party in November of 2001, I had my two newest friends at my house at the same time - and from day one - the three of us instantly bonded.

I have not seen Montel since then, and although I have seen Arthur since then - I haven't seen him since last June. But thankfully, the wait to see each other is over - because they are both staying with me this weekend.

When they arrived last night, along with Arthur's sister Suzi and our friend Julie from Baltimore, Maryland, our weekend of camaraderie began. As we all sat in a circle, laughing and reminiscing, I glanced over to see Arthur and Montel standing next to each other in my home. Here are two people who live close to four thousand miles away from me on different sides of the globe - having fun with me and with each other, without distances, long distance phone calls - or international timelines to keep us apart. As I saw them standing there, I went to my computer and pulled up a picture of the three of us from two years ago, the last time we were standing in the same room together.

From that picture two years ago, all three of us have lived through quite a lot of life experiences during our separate lives. And now - here we were again. No matter the fact that we do not speak every day, that we live in three completely different places - and that this was only the second time the three of us have been in the same room together - Montel, Arthur and I love each other as much as three lifelong friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. Who knew that an Alaskan, a Brit - and a Brooklynite could form a friendship that spans oceans, continents - and timelines. Who ever thought that three people who never would have possibly met otherwise would be close enough to come together for a weekend of fun. And who knew that two of my most dear friends who live a collective eight thousand miles away from me - would become closer to my heart than most people I know.

Here's to a weekend of fun - and family.