My girl.

Foreword: Yes, there is a lot of repetition here and it’s a bit braggadocious. But the original intent of this was a gift to my very best friend Trish on her 50th birthday. She’s an amazing human who I am beyond honored to share life with. Every now and then, she (just like the rest of us) needs to be reminded of her impact on others. Our inside joke is that if anyone met us individually and then learned of our attachment to one another, they’d be confused. We’re so very different! But we’re the same in the most important way: We take each other as we are; lumps, bumps, and all. Unconditional love fuels our nearly 50 (!!) year friendship.

May you all have a “Trish” in your life. I highly recommend it.

This is the history and reality of us.

Do you have a “would bury a body with you” friend? Not that you’d ever actually need it, but everyone should have one of these people in their lives. I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend where it doesn’t matter if you talked yesterday or over a year ago, but you can pick up the conversation like no time has passed at all? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who you’ve known since kindergarten, who has seen you through the most awkward stages of your life, and knew you when you were the biggest jerk but loved you despite yourself? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who will help out your momma without even telling you, because she’s just that amazing and generous? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who you’ve seen rise up from being a young, single mom with the biggest challenges to a settled home owner with a full, rich life filled with grandbabies and the greatest daughters and husband? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who’s lost her beloved mother and father way too soon, but somehow managed to keep her own heart open to others through her amazing spirit and love? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who will pick you up from the worst part of town during a snowstorm because a cab wouldn’t dare come there? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who will drive to the middle of boring-ass Ohio several times just to visit you because you need to see her and be a part of your life there? I do. She’s my girl. 

Do you have a friend who will drop everything to stand beside you in all the ceremony of getting married, wear a dress and heels just because you asked her to, give a speech even though it was outside of her comfort zone and look after your sometimes-difficult momma during the whole thing? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who will be your comfort blanket when your marriage falls apart, and remind you that you are worth being loved again? I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who doesn’t care what your house looks like, who your friends are, or who your significant other is? I do. She’s my girl

Do you have a friend who doesn’t realize how amazing and beautiful she is on an everyday basis? I do. She’s my girl. (Read that one again, baby girl, because you are amazing and beautiful.)

Do you have a friend you admire for following her passions, despite what’s trendy or “cool?” I do. She’s my girl.

Do you have a friend who’s your oldest and dearest friend of all? I do. She’s my girl.

Trish, I’m proud to say that our friendship has been the longest and most successful relationship I’ve had in my life. You are and always will be “my girl” in the most significant, ride-or-die, Marquette-to-Hubbard-to-college-to-the-rest-of-our-lives way. You are a beautiful and amazing human being with so much love to give, and I’m so honored that you chose me to take this crazy ride of life with. I love you with all my heart.

Your girl,
Karen