I have a friend...

whom I have known for twenty-one years or so.   She has been a bright spot in my life for all of those twenty-one years.  We don't always get to spend much time together, and there are often lulls between seeing each other.  This is when the sunshine of my life is a little dimmer.

She and I are not that much alike.  She is bubbly and full of fun.  She is the life of the party.  She draws people to her in remarkable ways.  And yet, we complement each other so well.  We understand one another.  We can almost read minds sometimes.

For several years we were the 5th year leaders at Girls Camp.  We worked well together, had a lot of fun, and hopefully brought out the best in the girls that we taught.  It was inspiring to see them rise to be leaders while we supported them from the background.  We have watched together as they have moved on to become remarkable women.

There are too many facets of our friendship to recount them all here.  We have shared each other's highs and lows.  We laugh together.  We cry together.  Patti, dear, I love you.  Happy Birthday, my sweet friend.

(Photo credit:  Laura Peterson)