My Dear Kristen,I hate not being able to start birthday week today with you in person! BUT never fear, as you already so gracefully accomplished in November with my birthday week, BIRTHDAY WEEK will begin today, with delivery form a bit different than years past.
I love that this week I get to reflect on the blessing you are in my life. I love that each day a little something gets to be presented to you that reflects who you are and the things you enjoy. I love being able to reflect on the huge gift you have been in my life these past 8 years.
Our friendship has weathered through some of life's most beautiful seasons as well as some of the hardest most heart wrenching ones as well. I treasure walking through those baby years with our first borns, when we thought getting to the grocery store was almost impossible, to the most beautiful joy of experiencing our growing families and the tremendous beauty that has developed through mothering the seconds, thirds and now for you sweet #4! I love that with you when life is chaotic, we laugh! I love that when things don't go as planned we can vent to each other, I love that through the day to day I can come to you with any range of experiences and you are there to listen, laugh, cry, encourage and help carry any burden! You are selfless, generous, so thoughtful and have carried me through so many heart breaking moments over the years.
One of the most amazing moments that stands out to me (there are many) but this particular memory exemplifies your amazing heart and care in the deepest way for not only me but for Titus (your kinda son). Upon returning from my sister's wedding this summer, having to make another trip to Arizona to find a home, you pick me up from the airport and drive me home. You know where I am going right...... we arrive to my house and make our way to the kitchen and I begin commenting on how much our lizard "Ms. Debbie," has grown so! I will never forget glancing over to you and seeing a look of concern on your face as you immediately new that something wasn't right with the lizard. I start freaking out... in fact feel numb, faint and feeling like I can't breath!
You know this isn't because I care much about the lizard but because the little boy that loves this little lizard is going to be broken to pieces when he finds out his lizard is dead. You know, that I am so exhausted and emotionally depleted from the preparations of moving that this little thing is almost more than I can handle...
Then you do something that I truly was amazed by! While I am weeping on the couch, you quickly assure me that you can handle this. The dead lizard which already smells terrible, the cage that is grotesque is all of a sudden in your arms walking down our long hallway and placed in the trunk of you car. And then because you love my boy so much, you proceed to clean "Little Ms. Debbie up and place her in a shoe box with a special blanket (for Titus' sake). You loved me, and loved Titus in the most tangible way!
There are countless stories like these!
I thank you dear friend for our moments of silly and most ridiculous laughter, for letting me be part of your chaotic moments and for being part of mine, for loving my children in all their corks, for being my researcher, my nurse, the beautiful model of how to manage laundry and making meals, for being honest when I'm staring in the mirror at an outfit that I want to work but is a terrible match for me, for making our girls feel so special and beautiful when you braid their hair, for always being mindful of how you spend your money, for our wonderful adventurous girls trips with our sweet girls, for sharing your cupcake even when I won't, for the wonderfully crazy walks we used to take with all the kids, for the grace and understanding that conversations may not get completed but at least were started, for being willing to care and love even when it was exhausting and I didn't have much to give back!
You are beautiful friend! I love you Kray! Happy Birthday Week my friend!!
Wow!!!!! That was THE best gift! Thank you!!!! I loved every part of that sweet blog post. I thought this morning as I put on my pantyhose:) that I have been blessed with such a gift. I prayed that my girls would have a friendship like ours when they get older. I still can't believe you are gone, but find it comforting that we have a forever friendship. I miss you daily and a week hasn't gone by that I haven't shed tears over the loss of you living 10 doors down. I am blessed and proud to call Steph Tucker my friend. Thank you for being the friend that loves me and my quirks and for loving my family. There is no one else that knows my kids like you do. Spills and all!!!! I love you, wonderful friend!
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