Birthday Wishes

Brian and I spent the weekend with our very good friends Jake and Julie. Actually, to call them very good friends is quite the under-statement! We don't get to visit them very often, but everytime we do . . . they welcome us with open arms and turn their home into ours.

Julie will be celebrating her 30th birthday tomorrow! In honor of the momentous occasions, I thought perhaps it would be fitting to tell you all a little bit about my "very good friend" Julie and how I came to meet her. (I know she's going to kill me for putting her picture on here!)

I met Julie back in junior high. (actually I first met her through our mutual friend Wendy - but I don't remember exactly when that was - Jules do you?) She was this spunky little thing with an out-going personality that actually intimidated the crap out of me! My first memory of Julie was on the basketball court. I already knew who she was, but wasn't really sure yet whether or not we would get along. She went to my "rival" school back then so I was playing against her. There she was . . . all four feet of her (ok, maybe she was a little taller than that) and she had her hair pulled up in a ponytail and I noticed that the bottom portion of her head was shaved bald.

I believe she tried to be friendly and say "hi" to me, but when I caught a glimpse of her shaved head I thought - "holy crap, this girl could kick my butt!" I was so afraid of her I think I just pretended I didn't hear her and ran away.

Fast forward fifteen plus years and I can't imagine my life without Julie in it! I said before that to call Julie a "very good friend" was an under-statement . . . Julie is family. I grew up an only child, so I can't say for certain what a relationship would be like with a sister, but I can't imagine it being much different than what I have with Jules.

It truly amazes me to think that all those years ago I met a person that would become so important in my life. Little did I know as I was running away from that spunky little girl, that she would go on to become my confidant, my children's Godmother, and my best friend. I don't know how many people get to experience the closeness of a life-long friend - I thank God everyday that I was lucky enough to.

Happy Birthday Jules! May your next thirty years bring you happiness, prosperity, and the fulfillment of your dreams.