BFF

Today is my best friends Birthday.

Jen and I have known each other since 7th grade. We never were really close friends back in Jr High but we were always very cordial and friendly towards one another. We played on basketball teams together, traveled to Washington DC, chased after the same boy (who she ended up marrying), basically experienced all the same Jr High drama but never really became close friends.

Fast forward to college. I was attending a bridal shower of a close friend. Jen just so happened to have been roommates/friends with this same girl and was also going to be there. We spent the entire afternoon reminiscing, poking fun, chatting and just catching up. It was awesome and we both ended up inviting each other to our weddings coming up that summer. I remember leaving the shower and thinking to myself "Gawd, that was fun. I hope Jen and I have another chance to hang out".

I never would have guessed that that afternoon a true genuine friendship would soon blossom. It's hard to explain what Jen means to me. But I feel so incredibly blessed to have a best friend that gets me, that sees past my flaws and still loves me for all my idiosyncrasies. Jen and I are so alike in so many aspects yet so different in others.

Jen has always been there for me. She's seen me at my best and (unfortunately) my ugliest. And no matter what never has been quick to judge. We always have the greatest time together; whether it is vacationing in Kauai together, on a road trip, camping, going to the movies, eating out, hanging out at each others houses, kicking our husbands butts in canasta, playing co-ed softball/soccer, stuffing our faces with anything sweet and chocolaty, meeting up for a walk, gabbing on the phone, screaming our tails off at a concert... the list goes on and on. The thing that makes our friendship so great is that it is effortless. We are just friends. No work involved, no false pretenses- just us plain and simple.

I love Jen. She is my best friend through and through. I call her first about everything and anything. There is nothing she doesn't know about me and vice versa. Jen is smart and sassy. The combination means you'll have a hard time outwitting her. She is beautiful. I mean, who do you know that can literally wash her hair, throw on some clothes and head out the door and look great without product or makeup? Yeah, that's Jen. She's funny and sarcastic. I love that Jen is just a little bit of a hypochondriac too- I've had to talk her down off the edge a couple of times. She is honest and trust-worthy, real and sincere. I can count on her. Jen is courageous and inspiring. She has taught me to be passionate about things I believe in and support causes that are meaningful and purposeful. She's confidant and opinionated. Isn't afraid to take charge and tell you like it is. I love that she loves my kids. And that they love her back. She is very protective of them which I find so endearing. I love her competitive spirit. Guaranteed you haven't met a chick more competitive then Jen. I love that she literally remembers EVERYTHING and is full of pointless/random celebrity gossip- hence the reason she is always on my team when playing Trivial Pursuit. I love that our husbands are friends too; it makes our Friday/Saturday evening game nights that much more fun. I love Jen's passion for her family. She is loyal and compassionate and will do anything for them. I love Jen for a million reasons but mostly because she is who she is and she embraces life with such an earnest and zest.

I am so excited about our growing little families and all the memories that we are going to make together. It's such a blessing to have Jen in my life, to call her my best friend. I am honored to walk this life with her, to see her as a new mommy, to see her baby girl grow- just to experience life with Jen. 

Happy Birthday BFF! I love ya!