Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Nine

The Precious Gift of Friendship

I made a mess-up today. And because of my terrible mistake, only half of my special day can be seen. So, before I go off telling the world about two of my most precious friends and our Froyo date tonight, I must first begin with lunch. And the special someone I sat across.

Shame on me for forgetting way too much this afternoon. Including my camera. Ugh. Suey deserves a special place on day 229, and since she was a big part of making today so beautiful, there's no way I could leave her out! I've been patiently waiting to see her now for about, oh, 5 months. We've grown tremendously over the past year, and I love her dearly for many of the life lessons she's helped see me through. Finally seeing her smiling face was enough to make this trip worth it. I'd fly 12 hours any day to sit with her for an afternoon of late salads (it took 30 minutes to make them!) and easy conversation. She's a patient woman, and one who waited a long time for me to apologize. It's hard to say "I'm sorry," but our reconciliation has brought a tremendous amount of joy back into my life. And I'm so very thankful that God's worked faithfully in me to restore such a beautiful friendship. 

I love you Susan.

With whimsical mood in hand, I went about the rest of my day enjoying the freedoms of this life and the beauty of those around me. I just felt "light." And it felt good. Especially considering the weight of being away from my dear husband. I do miss him. Tremendously. But my support system in Spokane is beyond anything I could hope for. God's placed me neatly into a season of life that's enabling me to recognize just how uniquely important and special my family and friends truly are. And especially, that I'm not nearly as alone in this adventure as I once thought. Out there, on the road, 3,000 miles away, or alone in a unfamiliar apartment, insecurity and loneliness really do set in. And it's something I've had to struggle with. But then, women like Katie and Amy remind me of friendships that will always be, and love that will never fade. Tonight, over my favorite Froyo, I got to re-connect face-to-face with two ladies (gals, as Amy would say) that make every ounce of my being genuinely happy. And so, so thankful. I can confidently say, that without the two of them actively working alongside the Lord and speaking into my life some very hard truths, my marriage, friendships, and relationships would lack the sincerity and integrity that God had intended for me. That's big. That's hard. And both of them were exactly that to me. I've been blessed with two of the most beautiful friendships a girl could ever pray for, and love every single moment I get to spend with them. And just like Sue, I'd fly 12 hours, any day, for just 1 hour of their smiles. 

I love you Katie. 

I love you Amy.

Oh, and today, I probably got to talk to Adam for about...22 minutes. Total. Thank the Lord I'm in Spokane to distract me from that sad - so very sad - reality.
I love you Adam.
I'm crazy about you.
I can't wait to see you.