Dear Jenny,
What can I say to my oldest friend? Perhaps I should start with a thank you.
Thank you for always, always, always thinking of me. Even though you have now been about 3,000 miles away through the majority of our friendship, you never stopped calling, never stopped visiting and never stopped caring.
Dog tags... for life!
Thank you for always shining so brightly. I admire your courage, your consistently positive attitude, and your outstanding ability to always move forward. You have humbled me numerous times with your ability to forgive: I will never forget how you called me up after a fight we had and played “Wing Beneath My Wings,” even though I was in the wrong and my behavior toward you was downright shameful.
I wish I could give you a hug that could somehow delete all my wrongs and let you know how important your friendship has been in shaping me over the years. I wish my words could properly quantify the impact you have had in my life, most significantly in making me strive to be a better person.
Ah, the booth pictures.
I still remember, vividly, how one day in the 2nd or 3rd grade one of the school bullies had cornered you. While you were cornered I stood there 10 feet away and was faced with a decision: hope it will end quickly and keep my butt safe or come to your defense. That day I was a coward and that moment haunts me still. You never blamed me; you never got upset with me; and you never looked down on me for it. You moved forward and we continued to play with barbie dolls, build forts, and have endless sleepovers.
Just clowning around. We loved putting on shows!
For all you are and after all these years, you are still one of my dearest friends. So many of the moments we shared together while growing up have taught me invaluable lessons on developing character, building loyalty, and being humble. You are one heck of a strong woman, and I’ve always hoped that one day I can be as strong and as positive as you.
Special friends.
With that, I will leave you with a very big Happy 30th Birthday! (I know, it’s 2 days late.) I am thinking of you always and cannot wait to see you soon.
How many birthdays ago???
Love,
Andrea
P.S. I am SURE I will see you soon. 🙂 This time for reals. I predict May sometime. 🙂 Hey, it’s coming sooner than you think!