our adventures are FAR from complete...

Just thinking about this weekend brings tears to my eyes…this weekend is the last weekend that Megan and I will be living in the same county. For three years Gan and I lived in Riverside County and attended CBU…we were into all kinds of mischief and have amazing memories to prove it. Then I graduated and moved to Orange County and she started her senior year at Cal Bap. That was a hard year for me – I was the loneliest I’ve ever been…but God was working mightily in my life at that time and I have seen His sovereignty and provision even through that season. When Gan graduated in 2008 she moved back to the OC and we have enjoyed the last 2 years living in the same general vicinity and having as many adventures as possible. In these last two years Gan and I transitioned from being college friends to being adult friends – to visualizing our friendship for years and years into the future. We are no longer friends of convenience – our friendship is deep and profound. Megan and I truly love each other, get each other, respect each other, put up with each other, celebrate each other, and cherish the gift we have been given in each other. A few months ago Megan got laid off and simultaneously her dad found a new job (after over a year of unemployment) at a church in Pismo Beach. Given Gan’s uncertain financial situation, she really has no choice but to go with her family for now. We have spent a lot of time in prayer – we have asked the Lord to provide another option – but alas the time has come and Megan will be moving to Pismo Beach with her parents next weekend. As I sit here typing this there are tears welling up in my eyes. It is really difficult for me to imagine living every-day life without Gan. She is my person – she is the one I call when I have to make a quick run to Nordstrom to find a birthday gift, or if there is a movie out that I really want to see, or if I’m hungry and just not in the mood to make dinner. For the last two years we have seen each other at least once a week and I have loved it. I will miss it. I will miss her. I don’t think for a second that our friendship is ending, but it is inevitable that it will change. And although I am not afraid of the change, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that it is a reality. I have LOVED this season, this chapter, and I’m sad to be moving into a time of long-distance friendship with Gan. Praise the Lord for text messaging (and the fact that there is an empty bedroom in my house that I’m pretty sure Gan will be taking up residence in as often as possible). Gan, I love you with all my heart and will miss you beyond belief. Thanks for being such an amazing friend and wonderful part of my life. You bring me so much joy and I have loved laughing through life with you! my 21st birthday dinner @ Claim Jumper (most AWKWARD dinner EVER award!!)Earth Ball on the Lancer Arms Lawn (we were SO BUSTED for that one! Sorry Tes!)Christmas my senior year @ CBU - right after we planted our Christmas branchUndergraduate Graduation - May 2007STAYCATIONEndless trips to the DIZMy 24th birthday adventureRachel's 21st Birthday Extravaganza COMPLETE with cocktail dressesSPRINKLE SPOONS...thanks cold stone guy who said, "seriously?" when i ordered them!MBA GraduationTrip to the Getty Celebrating the completion of my Capstone Presentation and officially becoming Shelly Swope, M.B.A.FAVORITE = champagne truffles!!Halloween 2009 - Meredith Grey & Cristina YangDance Party (@ Kenz's 24th birthday celebration)a WINDY day at the beachThe ANNUAL Oscar's PartyNEWEST adventure = bike ridingThe hats we got for our year-long road-trip that we WILL take someday...the one where we're going to wear aviators and drive cross country in our converted VW bus while listening to AWESOME road trip mixes and utilizing our 18-in-one soap...at least we KNOW our adventures are FAR from complete!!