In the lead up to International Day of Friendship on July 30, self-proclaimed 'Sands-Sisters' Sara and Fiona, from Queensland, took the time to talk to us about what makes their friendship special, and how their close bond was nurtured through the most devastating of circumstances.

Fiona

How did you become friends?

I met my fellow Sands-Sister, Sara, at a Sands parent supporter training day in Brisbane almost two years ago. A special bond was formed that day and we haven’t stopped chatting since! We were fortunate enough to be rostered together on the 1300-support line where “Team Sarona” was formed! We now co-facilitate one of the online support groups, which is a real honour to do together.

What are the three most important things that make your friendship what it is?

Just three?! That’s tough to narrow down.

1. Unwavering support and encouragement for each other.
2. Lots of shared passions in life, including a love of leopard, champagne and Kath & Kim!
3. Copious amounts of laughter!

What trait do you most admire in each other?

Along with Sara’s genuine caring and loving nature, I admire her ability to see the positives in any given situation and to enjoy the simple things in life. I think we both share an “attitude of gratitude” in life. In fact, we have a saying: “How good’s this/that?!” (HGT) that we use regularly when life throws us some something we’re really grateful for, big or small.

What’s your favourite memory of your Sara?

That’s also really hard to narrow down! All of them! But I think one of my favourites is also the simplest. Laughing our way through a long lunch or yakking on the phone for hours.

I’m so grateful to Sands for bringing Sara and I together as it has made my Sands experience what it is and given me a friend for life. 

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Sara

How did you become friends?

Fiona and I met at the Sands Australia volunteer parent supporter training for Group Facilitation in September 2018 at the Sands House in Brisbane.

What are the three most important things that make your friendship what it is?

Champagne, Animal Print, Kath & Kim… haha well those 3 and – 1. Humour 2. Common interests/values 3. Just being there for each other

What trait do you most admire in each other?

I mostly admire Fiona’s caring trait – she is empathetic, withholds judgment, is a great listener and is always supportive.

What’s your favourite memory of your friend?

My favourite memory is the day we first met.  We were lining up to go to the bathroom during the lunch break at training and I think we spoke about 7,000 words in 10 minutes! Fiona was wearing an animal print scarf too so I just knew she was going to be a friend for life!  After training we became friends on Facebook and the rest is history!  I am so grateful to have met Fiona that day and for the friendship we continue to have.  ‘Sometimes people just walk into your life at exactly the right time’