Let Me Introduce You...

...to my very best friend. Her name is Jaime. Here's how it all began. Let's travel back through time.

It's Fall semester at BYU in 1995. New students are arriving at the dorms, scared and apprehensive, myself included. Although this was my third year of college, it was my first time away from home, and so I decided to live near my sister in the dorms. I was 20, ready to work; my new roommate was 17, boy-crazy and ready to party. We had nothing in common. Although she was nice, I'm quite convinced that she did not like me. Fast forward a few more weeks -- my "missionary" and boyfriend dumped me. Fast forward a few more weeks -- my grandpa passed away. Enter the lowest, hardest time in my life up to that point.

Enter Jaime.

Jaime lived down the hall that year. She was a sophomore, and both being upperclassmen, I think we were naturally drawn to each other. By a twist of last-minute events, she had a room to herself. That room became my safe haven, my reprieve from all that I needed to escape from in my own room once in a while. We spent many hours giggling, talking, studying, typing papers (she was SO kind to let me borrow her word processor - yes, this was in the Jurassic Period before we all had computers at our fingertips) and don't forget crying. Oh the crying! You see, Jaime had her own missionary situation going on at the time, and we leaned on each other heavily to get through it all.

My favorite thing to think back and laugh about was PREPPING to go down the hall to Jaime's room! She is a native of Alaska, and with me being so-very-NOT-from-Alaska, I found her thermostat settings rather harsh. So I would put on my winter hat and gloves to do homework, or wrap up in a big blanket to sit and chat. Brrrrrrr! Often it would be in the middle of snowing and Jaime would have the window wide open to let in the chill. HA!

In a nutshell, Jaime made what was turning out to be a rotten year, into a wonderful year. I owe her my life. Through her, I was able to develop friendships with more people, actually get my homework done in a quiet place, be brave enough to go on a few dates, attack the uphill trek through snow and ice to class each day, and try a million other new things thanks to her encouragement and example of faith and kindness. We went on to share a basement apartment with 2 other WONDERFUL friends the next year. There is a group of 7 of us from that floated in-and-out of that apartment that are still close-knit to this day, people who are all a part of my fondest memories. To quote from the song in Wicked, and it's truly how I feel: "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

(click on the picture to see it enlarged)

Isn't she gorgeous? Still is. You would not believe all of the talent and ambition crammed into one person. If she wants to learn or do something, she does it.

Just a few of the fun and/or fabulous qualities of this amazing girl:

• She's from a family of 10 children
• She was a star soccer player
• She was homecoming queen, twice!
• She plays the bass guitar
• She plays the bassoon and flute
• As an adult, she learned to play the harp, just because
• She learned cake decorating and flower arranging in college, just because
• She finished a masters degree in social work
• She worked and put her husband through medical school
• Through all of med school, residency, and what not, she has become the mother to 4 beautiful children
• Never can I remember a complaint or unkind word out of her mouth. EVER.
• She quilts!!
• She is THE BEST listener, my shoulder to cry on. She supports without judgement or impatience. She is my therapist when I struggle with ANYTHING.

That brings us to the present time. With all of her wonderful qualities, Jaime moved to California after she got married and we rarely got to see each other. THEN, they moved waaaaaay out to Virginia! During that time I have only seen her once, and that was when we met on the 2nd NYC girls trip.

October 2007, last time we were together

Now she is in North Carolina.......

AND GUESS WHERE I'M GOING IN ONE MONTH!?!?