Friends

Something that I am certain of is this - I have been blessed with amazing friends.  Some passed through, some stayed for a while, and some have never left.  But, all have been such a blessing.  Each person has shaped me in some way into the person that I am today.

Some friends that have been my closest were naturally given to me.  My cousins.  See, I'm an only child, so I had to adopt "brothers and sisters", and I have always considered my cousins to be just that.

Robbie and I sure fought enough to be considered brother and sister.  The benefit was that we could go to separate houses when we couldn't get along.  He has and will always be one of my best friends.  I couldn't imagine growing up without him.

Mitchell has always been the proverbial big brother to me, and I just love him to death.  He recently married the sweetest girl, Melissa.  Good pick, Mitty.

Alexandria may be six years younger than me, but she is more than grown up now.  She's already engaged!  I have very fond memories of a sweet little girl who never wanted to brush her hair.  I can't believe that she'll graduate college next year.

Ross and Peyton, her little brother and sister, aren't exactly little anymore either.  They kick butt in golf tournaments, and are just overall great athletes.  I miss when I could pick them up and throw them around.  They are two of the most loving people I know.

I remember always wanting to be just like my oldest cousin, Michelle.  She is now a mother and a school teacher - a great fit for such a sweet person.

Tara Lynn has always been my partner in crime.  We had more sleepovers than I could ever count.  I love how when we get together, it's like we were never apart.  We never miss a beat.

I have more cousins that I can count, and even some adopted cousins too.  Kari Ann has always been mistaken for a cousin although she really isn't.  Close, but not quite.  I consider her a sister, anyway.  I love that girl.

My first friend, aside from those given to me, was Casey Dawn.  I kicked her backpack in 1st grade and told her it was ugly (I was really just jealous of her awesome backpack).  For some reason, that sparked a friendship.  We were pretty much inseparable until we 'grew up'.  We get together occasionally now, but gosh - it's just not enough :)

Yes, we're wearing jean shorts to play pee-wee basketball in.  

I came across my 8th grade journal the other day.  Here's a few excerpts:

I believe the best part of my life right now is my friends.  

Last weekend Casey and I spent the night with Ashley Caviness.  She's one of my best friends.  We had fun.  We watched "Half-Baked" and ate pizza from Pizza Hut.   

This weekend, Casey, Danielle, Krystal, Stephanie, and Ashley are coming to spend the night at my house. I hope we have fun.  

My closest friends are Casey, Stephanie, Jon, Brady, Carl, Adam, and Bethany.  Sometimes we have fights, but we always get over them.  I hope I keep in touch with them after I graduate because they're the best in the universe.

My weekend went pretty good.  Casey, Brady, Jon, Adam, Stephanie, and I went to the mall Saturday and saw "You've Got Mail."  It wasn't that great.  

I am so glad that Mrs. Gower made us write this journal, and I'm so happy that I somehow saved it.

Here is my class in 5th grade :)

Here is my brother from another mother :)

My senior class - not quite all 16 of us.

I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!

This is just how we act when we're together.

College and grad school have brought many more friends that are invaluable.  God is so amazing in how he brings people into your life at just the right moment.  He is a wonderful orchestrater.  I cannot even begin to list all the people I have met since high school that have forever shaped my life.  You know who you are.  (Nathan, you are still not blog worthy - LOL!  Just kidding!)

SOS brought many great friends into my life.

Awesomely sweet girls.

Toby's best friend is now one of mine :)

I believe the best friend that God has placed into my life would definitely be my Toby.  He loves me unconditionally, and makes me laugh daily.  Thank you Lord for giving me the man of my dreams.  He is perfect for me.  Now that we have each other, God has given us the best little friend ever.  Kylie Maye!  She is so much more than I could have ever hoped or imagined.

This is just a brief synopsis of the many blessings that have come in and out of my life over the years.  I can only hope for many more as the years continue to roll on.  I have been blessed beyond measure.  I can honestly say that.  Completely and totally blessed.  


 "⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10