Thank you

I grew up by her side. We were the blonde headed beauties in a family of brunettes. Nobody knew what was going to roll off of our tongue next. Grandma couldn’t tell us apart. Nobody could separate us. We were the best of friends that also held the title of cousins. T-ball, birthday parties, elementary school, family get togethers, and play dates we did together. Where one was, the other wasn’t far behind. We walked through hard times in both of our lives with the eyes of innocent children right next to each other. At the time, we were oblivious to the sovereign plans unfolding in our lives.

We faced what many best friends do through middle school years. She grew tired of me, I grew tired of her. Instead of being inseparable we saw very little of each other. There were fights (including physical- ask her about that!), drama, and hard feelings towards each other. At the time, we thought there was no repair to fully thread our lives back together. I used to be bitter towards that time, but I see clearly now how the Lord used our time apart to draw us into Him and then weave our friendship back together founded on something much stronger than family ties.

Many times in our weakness is when we recognize the need for others in our lives to lean on. I’m thankful for a time of weakness that opened my eyes to a greater friendship that surpassed lunch dates and gossiping. We found ours in a place where we both were yearning for the real and raw. In some crazy turn of events, we had our feet taken out from under us and we fell on each other as if nothing had ever changed. I thought at 6 years old we had the term “best friend” pretty well defined, but I’d beg to differ now. I’ve never known a friendship quite like this one. So Camille, this thank you is for you…

Thank you for your heart surrendered to the Lord and for letting that change everything about you.

Thank you for being an example of who Christ is, loving others, and loving me.

Thank you for your honesty even in the times when it is hard to hear.

Thank you for the fashion advice and a never ending open closet if I don’t have exactly what I am looking for.

Thank you for the joy you radiate.

Thank you for the laughs for all these years.

Thank you for being somebody that I can just be me around without fear.

Thank you for understanding me and loving me still.

Thank you for not knocking on my door and just coming right in, and allowing me to do the same.

Thank you for being passionate.

Thank you for always being down for ice cream or anything else unhealthy.

Thank you for your willingness to be vulnerable.

Thank you for the trust that I can have in you.

Thank you for being my photographer.

Thank you for finally deciding to love dogs, even though Charlie isn’t one of those.

Thank you for letting me send you 50 pictures and always telling me which one to post.

Thank you for your love of journaling, coffee shops, and always being down to hang out and attempt to be hipster.

Thank you for pouring out Jesus to me always.

Thank you for agreeing to move to another country with me if neither of us ever get married.

Thank you for listening when I just need to pour out every emotion built up inside of me.

Thank you for loving my family and making yourself at home with us.

Thank you for teaching me to dip my rolls in ketchup. I blame you for my ketchup obsession now.

Thank you for teaching me that sonic cheese sticks are the only way to go.

Thank you for not letting the distance of college separate us.

Thank you for showing me what a best friend is.

My heart doesn’t really know how to contain how thankful I am for you and this friendship. Jesus has been so good to us, friend! I hope you have the best birthday and see how truly loved you are by so many. You’re an inspiration and an encouragement. You make me a better person in so many ways.

Thank you.

I love ya, memille.

Happy 19th birthday!!!!!

Here’s a little video just to show ya how much you mean to us…