Friend Spotlight 1

I have to do my first spotlight on Verena. (So, don't be offended that it isn't you today...)

She and I have been best friends since we were in 5th grade. ( I love saying that, and she knows it, because it speaks deeply of how well we know each other.) A long-time friend like that is hard to come by and she still loves me to this day.

We have been through so much in our lives and have been fortunate to be able to support one another through those times. I remember many life-altering experiences we both have had over the years. The most recent rescue she made was when I was in labor with Liam. I called her at 6 in the morning and she took my call and helped me cope with my situation. I recall when I was dating Ian that there were many heartaches that I called her late at night about. And her husband cared for me enough to let her take those calls. She's rescued me time and time again. And luckily the big moments in life that neither of us coped well with, were when we lived in the same town... What a blessing that was! Now she is only 2 hours away but will soon be 1,600 miles away again (to Indiana). That fact tugs at my heart quite a bit, but I know she is only a phone call or email away. She is so well educated and grounded that I can always count her to be completely rational. She is always looking out for me and thinks about my interests often.

She has always told me that she is not a "social" person, that she doesn't have a lot of friends. It is weird for me to think of her that way because of how she is with me... So open and blunt and caring towards me. I feel extremely honored that for someone that only keeps a handful of people in her life, she has hand-picked me to keep. What a privilege. I mean, look at this woman! She is gorgeous! Never an awkward stage in her life... beautiful always.

Before I close, I have to paint a childhood memory of when we were in middle school. When I would stay the weekend at her house, we would stay up late. We would make the BEST tuna salad sandwiches on toasted bread, then go hide in the big laundry room downstairs and play one-on-one UNO for hours! We laughed so much! I also remember my dad dropping me off early on Saturday mornings on his way to Air Force Reserves and I would just walk in their house and go down to Verena's room and sleep head to foot in her twin bed. We were such skinny kids... two in a twin was plenty comfortable... head to foot. LOL!

Another tid bit... I really feel accomplished if I can make Verena laugh... much how I feel about making Ian laugh. It takes something really odd or extra funny to make them laugh. So when I can make that happen, it's quite impressive in my mind.

Verena, you are a priceless piece of my life. I admire you beyond words! Thanks for all the wonderful childhood, teenage, college and married memories!