Roomie

I still call her my roommate.  It’s silly, really.  We haven’t lived together for more than ten years, but still. . . she’s my roomie.  Our room was the first you came to when you walked up to the third floor of our dorm on our small college campus.  I can still see our bunked beds, our desks on opposite sides of the room and our clothes, shoes, cosmetics, books, and our entire lives stuffed into our tiny dorm room.  And when I really concentrate, I can still smell the scent of the patchouli lotion she used each morning. 

We’ve come a long way from those days in our tiny dorm room, but let me tell you something. . . the impact of this girl in my life has only increased as the years have passed.  So today I’m taking a moment to recognize the birthday of my roomie and my friend over at Trophy Life. 

In all honesty, I could write pages about how this beautiful woman changed the direction of my life simply by saying “hey, let’s room together next year.”  Following those pages, I could fill a few more telling you about how my friend is one of the bravest most strong women I’ve ever known.  And then I might go on to describe how this lovely lady has overcome challenges and broken through barriers that would have immobilized most. 

I could write a book about these things, but I wouldn’t want to embarrass her.  Instead, I’ll just tell you this about my friend. . . she is exceptional. 

Really, really exceptional. 

And now, M, let me say this to you.  Will you look up at that picture of us?  Go ahead, I’ll wait. 

. . . . . . .

Do you see what I see?  Look at my eyes.  They literally light up when you are around.  That is how I feel about you.  Your presence brings such joy that I shine from the inside out. 

Thank you. 

Thank you for being there.  For sticking by me through all these years when I’m sure it was hard to do so.  Thank you for not giving up on me when you could have.  Thank you for teaching me that friendship, real friendship, knows no bounds.  Thank you for helping me understand that family goes beyond blood and is truly defined by love. 

And on this special day I wish you not only a special day, but a special year.  A year that is filled with new dreams and possibilities.  I wish for you all the strength, energy, and passion you need to reach your dreams. I hope for you a year in which you find yourself surrounded by an abundance of love and encouragement.  I wish for you moments of peace mixed with the right amount of adventure and excitement.  I wish for you laughter. . . lots and lots of laughter.  But also, I wish for you time for silence, contemplation, and reflection. And really, M, when it comes down to it. . . do want to know what I really wish for?  I really wish that all of your wishes come true.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. . . my life is better becasue you are in it.

Happy Birthday, My Friend!