My dear friend Mithra functions best on spontaneity. She is forever inviting me to parties, concerts or trips at the absolute last minute. Of course, I always say yes. She knows my motto … “nothing good comes by saying no”.

This week for instance Mithra shot me a text saying she scored some killer seats to Fleetwood Mac. “Let’s go,” she said. “I’ll pick you up in a couple hours.”

Wait?! What?! Of course, I dropped everything to go see Stevie Nicks twirl around. And around. And around.

I, on the other hand, am a chronic planner. I typically like to have all my ducks in a row before I do something. If I try to coordinate something with Mithra, it usually goes awry.  Last year when Mithra took me to India, I practically had to threaten bodily harm to get an itinerary.

Good thing she puts the whim in whimsical.

As friends go, Mithra ranks near the tippy-top of my upper echelon of galpals. Whether it’s lunch, a pedicure, a shopping excursion or all three, Mithra likes to be a social butterfly. And she is forever taking me along for the ride. I’m blessed to have her in my life because she’s predictably unpredictable. When I see her number cross my caller I.D., I immediately think, “Oooh, the party is about to start.” I don’t even think she realizes the immediate joy she brings to so many people.

I’ve shared many an amazing meal with her at a moment’s notice simply because she was inspired to cook. I purchased the Mac computer I’m typing on right now simply because she thought I was overdue for a new laptop. I’ve tried countless weird Indian dishes simply because she wanted to get my palate outside its comfort zone. The list goes on and on. Yes, it’s that simple.

Plus, there’s no holiday to big or too small. I had a near religious experience this year on Fat Tuesday thanks to her. She scooped me up for a dinner party that featured a seven-course New Orleans-inspired meal. Why? Because she knew it was going to be an adventure.

My friend Mithra teaches me on a near daily basis that life is to be lived. And I’m grateful to have her in my life. As Fleetwood Mac sang, “You can go your own way.” And I forever want to follow in Mithra’s free-spirited, no-plan plans.