Throughout my
life, I have been betrayed and abandoned by many people who I believed were
“forever friends.” However, there are a few amazing women who have stuck by me
though it all, and this post is for them.
K: I
fondly remember all the Sunday afternoons of playing Barbies, writing our own
mystery stories, playing in the graveyard, and swimming in the pool as kids,
and then playing church league baseball in high school. And how could I forget
your mom’s soup with the Shake & Bake chicken, and ice cream with
strawberries for dessert? Through the years, there were several long periods of
time where we drifted apart, but we always seemed to be able to pick up right
where we left off. Even though much of our 20’s were spent in different stages
of life, we have still been able to stay connected. It was only fitting that
you were the one to help me choose my wedding dress! I love how we can get
together every other week for our “girls’ group.” You have an amazing gift for leadership
and teaching and I’m blessed to have you lead our group.
T: I love
how we’ve grown through our 20’s together, and that along the way, we’ve been
able to share so many of the same stages of life. From pilates classes, to home
ownership/renovations, to dating and marriage, we have shared some pretty
intense experiences together. I love that we have been able to walk with each
other (sometimes literally—all over town), and help each other through the
“tough stuff.” You know what it’s like to grieve unspeakable losses while learning
how to balance that with just “doing life.” You are not afraid to ask the hard
questions that so many people shy away from. Thank you for never judging me,
and for sticking with me through everything, even if I didn’t deserve it. I
hope that I can always be as loyal of a friend to you as you have been to me.
J: I
will never forget how you instantly welcomed me into your family and made me
feel just like a sister. I love your honesty and vulnerability and am thankful
for all your encouragement during the tough times. I cherish the time we spend
together every other week, and I love watching you be a Mom! You may feel often
feel overwhelmed, but I have been so blessed watching you grow more and more
into the woman God wants you to be over these past three years. Listening to
you sing in front of hundreds of people gives me so much joy. You are such an
inspiration to me in so many ways! Whenever I feel down, I think of you
overcoming so much of the crap in your life, because as you always tell me, “Jesus
is bigger than that.” You give me so much hope, and I hope someday I can be
more like you.
R: Even though we don’t get together
frequently, I love how we can catch up over lunch or dinner and it feels like
no time has passed. I love how the gap of time, space, and age doesn’t matter
with us. I feel so safe when I confide in you; you are one of the most
non-judgemental people that I know. I love that you bring so much wisdom and
experience to our relationship. I am so thankful for all your support, no
matter what the problem or situation. I love how you support me by coming to
everything I invite you to—whether it’s a party, a sales show, or just lunch.
Your generosity of time and money just blows me away! I am proud to call you my
cousin, as well as my friend.
J: You
taught me so much about myself, and I will be forever indebted to you for that.
You asked me hard questions, and got me thinking, evaluating, and WRITING! Even
though our season for meeting together has ended, I am profoundly grateful for
the support I received from you as I began my journey of healing.
There are so
many other women who have touched my life – many of whom I have only known for
a short time (Ladies, you have already impacted me for the
better. I hope one day you will be on my list of “forever friends” too.)
I love you all so much, and don't know where I'd be without you all. xoxoxo
You are a wonderful, wonderful woman, ma'am, and I hope you continue to flourish beyond even your wildest dreams.
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