For the Birthday Girl

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and will sing it back to you when you forget the words."

Dear "J to the L to the B" (now L)

I think you might be one of the first to have put the song in my heart to begin with! Other than my family of course. Kindred Spirits we two. Maybe it's because we did a lot of our growing up together. First locker, first AP class, first date, first dance, first crush, first kiss, first car, first party, first curfew, first love, first breaking up is hard to do. All of it we did beside one another...together. Learning, growing, working through life, playing a part in each other's experiences. What a blessing it was for me to have found such a loving, grounded, beautiful inside and out friend so young. In a world without you-oooo. Where would I be-eeee? (Sorry, Belinda got the best of me there!)

"Friendship, Friendship...just the perfect blendship! While other friendships are soon forgot, ours will still be hot!" Did we really sing that duet in the Senior Play? Why yes we did. Ironically fitting, I must say. That director was a genius, or perhaps a fortune teller! Because here we are, a little more than 18 years since we first met, still singing our song. And while the verse of our lives has changed from teeny bops to wifey MOPs - the refrain is still the same. Love. For each other, and for others, now for our husbands and our children. From love all else good flows. And you embody the best of it, always look for it in others, and freely give it.

I am so blessed to have you in my life. I am excited for what this next year will bring for you. So many things are growing, changing, and becoming. Another daughter, a new home, a new job, a PhD! You have worked long to be here. Made hard decisions and difficult sacrifices. I know you already see and appreciate the good that is around you. And I know there are many things that are still up in the air. But let yourself enjoy the rewards that are coming. You deserve all of them and more!

Happiest of Birthdays my best friend!
I love you so much!
Erin

PS - I thought you would get a kick out of one of the stanzas to the song we sang in the play. Can you guess which one I think is particularly funny? Anytime my dear, they are all yours!

If you're ever in a jam, here I am.
If you're ever in a mess, S.O.S.
If you're so happy, you land in jail. I'm your bail.
It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
When other friendships are soon forgot, ours will still be hot.
Da da da da da da dig dig dig.
If you're ever down a well, ring my bell.
If you're ever up a tree, just phone to me.
If you ever loose your teeth when you're out to dine, borrow mine.
It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
XOXO