HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEST FRIEND!!!!

I met my BEST FRIEND Sara Jessica Linkous 6 years ago now when we were a mere 19-years-old. Our friendship began in the small, virtually non-existent land of Bethany, Texas where the only signs of civilization were the Arby's and the Love's Gas station at the Interstate exit. We made AMAZING memories that first summer - from the golf cart to PASADAS (where they let you eat soft serve ice-cream cones as you WAIT to be seated for the most amazing homemade tortillas in all of Louisiana) to laying the piece of cold beef on Nathan's face and eating the entire order of cinnastix while claiming incessantly that they never arrived. THAT is where it all started - but OH how it has grown, and changed, and become one of the most beautiful aspects of my life!! Sara flew out to California for the first time right around our 22nd birthdays. We had tickets to see THE PRICE IS RIGHT before Bob Barker retired and were UBER excited for our adventure. Unfortunately, Sar got RIDICULOUSLY sick on the plane ride over (they ended up letting her stay in the restroom for landing it was so bad) and we were uninformed on the true competition of getting seats in the studio. SO long story short, we ended up in Santa Monica instead. This is us later that same year - we were both on staff for World Changers, a division of the North American Mission Board. This is us just before we were commissioned...I think we're even in the NAMB parking lot in Alpharetta, GA!Training also includes the annual game of Whiffle Ball. Sara and I are actually NOT that into it - but the Summer Staff play against the National Staff and in honor of our team, we went aheada nd put on our war paint. THEN we made sure we were the first out of the gym for the showers!!!That was our last summer on staff...so at the close of the summer, we spend an extra couple days in Alpharetta with Susan Whitley (another great WC friend!!) Sara and I got pedicures and stopped at the donut store to get the SPRINKS MIX (thanks brian reagan!). Then we said goodbye not knowing when we would see each other next. The adult world claimed both of our lives for quite a season, there were a LOT of teary phone conversations - but we made it through, and eventually, God brought us together again!In May of 2008 I was living in Stanton, CA and studying for a Masters Degree while working full time at Ev. Free Fullerton...AND Sara and I hadn't seen each other since August of 2007. We were both pretty desperate - so I flew her BACK to California for a visit. This time we REALLY enjoyed the classic California adventures...first stop, Seal Beach (it was the closest to my house in Stanton - I am in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM claiming it is the nicest beach in Cali. I know for a FACT that it is not!!!).Second stop, DISNEYLAND. First stop AT disneyland? ICE CREAM on Main Street!!! We are SO the same person. After Disneyland it was MY TURN to get super sick and we then missed Megan's college graduation. SO SORRY GAN!!!! But I was well enough by that evening to go to WICKED at the Pantageous for Sara's first ever Broadway show. It was spectacular (and I was ridiculously drugged so it was even more spectacular for me than usual!)The last day of that trip was Golden Spoon, Maid of Honor, and shopping at Old Navy (our visits always including shopping somewhere don't they! Even on a missionary salary we managed to find some great wardrobe pieces! JEAN JACKET!)After that visit in May, it was OVER A YEAR before we were together again. We talked on the phone just about everyday, but it wasn't until August of 2009 that we would officially see each other or hug each other. The packages that came in the mail held us over, but being reuinted is always the most amazing feeling in the world! In August of 2009 Sara and I took our first official VACATION together - we cruised the Caribbean for Graduation. She got a Bachelor's in 2009 and I got a Masters! WOOT!!However, before we officially boarded the ship, we made a slight detour for cracker barrell...oh how I love thee even though you don't have the best biscuits ever! :) We went snorkeling in Cozumel - there are some even dorkier pictures than this - but I figured this will suffice!and spent as much time as possible LOUGING...whether that was in our state room napping or reading magazines on the deck...no one can say we didn't RELAX...except for the day when we hiked through the ruins of Talum. We learned a lot that day...when they tell you to bring a water bottle, they mean it...and when they say it is 2 stars for physical exertion, they mean it is FREAKING HARD AND FREAKING HOTT...our clothes from that adventure will NEVER be the same. You know it is a strenuous activity when they provide you with ice-cold cloths for your face when you get back to the bus. hahahaha!Sara and I are still the BEST of friends. We haven't seen each other since August and probably won't see each other again until late fall of this year...but today I am celebrating MY sweet Sara. Sara, today I'm thanking the Lord for all the joy you have added to my life - for the way that we can share life together even with miles between us. I praise Him for your friendship - for your willingness to wipe my tears and carry my burdens...for the way you make each day just a little bit sweeter. You are a treasure and one of my greatest gifts. I LOVE YOU ENDLESSLY and hope your birthday is a blast. Here is to another quarter century of laughter and friendship - it can only grow sweeter from here!