Zorro leaves his mark

Prior to today, I have seen her once in the past 9 or 10 years. It seems totally ridiculous that that much time could have passed. Now, she is back in my life and I feel honoured to call her 'friend'. She is so lovely in many ways.... but let me just tell you of one particular thing... one of my experiences today.
We sit in my home drinking coffee, eating cake, talking... I find myself telling her things that express my vulnerabilities... I openly describe moments to her where I have made a fool of myself... I risk looking silly... I risk looking emotional... I risk looking weak... I allow myself to be myself, 'warts and all'.
I know I must sound terribly insecure right now as I blog about being vulnerable with a friend. I am not insecure. As my friend left my house today I realised how I hadn't had to pretend to be anything that I wasn't. We so often wear our 'masks' to hide our flaws, to cover up our inadequacies, to appear more of the person we think others want to see. There was no mask today. She allows me to be myself. She is not judgemental. She is open. She is honest. She is kind & funny. And when it is time to go home, she is one of those friends that you don't want to let leave! You feel refreshed after spending time with her.
She is the friend I want to be to others.
She is Bek.