I love my friends, like really, REALLY love my friends. I do. So sue me. Because I scream with joy, with gratitude, with love, with happiness that I am blessed. Good Lord, so blessed.
I received a sweet compliment last night. Like really, REALLY sweet. “This is comfortable, being with you.” I’m learning things about myself this past week. Virtuous things. Things that my dear friends have been telling me for years. Like how being thoughtful is okay. Like how being honest is not just permitted, it’s right and fair. It’s real. Like how my bangs really do look okay. Like how my heart for my kids that still bursts with love, is still alive, very much alive. And what I’m finding most is that being comfortable with myself, it’s comfortable. You saw me there before I did. It’s still a journey, but you my friends are helping me get there. Fastly, firmly, securely.
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I’ve decided to start highlighting the special people in my life. Today I choose some of my office moms. I can still call them that, right? Because I’m going to. Look out ladies…I’m about to get sappy. Love it. Cherish it. Because I do you.
Heidi- YOU are my dear, DEAR friend with a laugh that is contagious and comforting. You have a heart that is real, genuine, caring, and so true, so SO TRUE. And you share it with me. I love you. I love that in some of my deepest, scariest days, you heard me, you prayed for me. You’ve prayed through my relationships with me. And you’ve helped me continue loving. You’ve challenged me. You’ve changed me. And best of all, you’ve shared your dazzling, grand, son of yours with me to show me fruit–sweet, sweet fruit. and this is winning, watching the bachelorette with you. You are my blessing, mom-friend.
Pam- Hah! I just teared up typing your name. Holy hell- I am wayyyy to sappy… I must be missing you. I just love you. Like, I love you with a tight, bear hug, and a gut wrenching laugh. I love you with appreciation and with bluntness. I love you unfiltered with tears and with jolly. I love you with support and with admiration. I love you over laughs about raincoats and soreness. I love with you over a heartfelt, life changing journal, over my kids, over our ministry and especially over ice cold beers at the beach. I love with you your husband who cares for me so deep, and your kids that drive you crazy. I love with you my King. and I just love you, mom-friend.
Sheila Beeeeee- oh, I smile when I think of our long conversations in my red chair. I smile when I think of how when I was down, you were my safe place. I smile when I think that I can still scare the crap out of you and prank you like you’ve never been pranked before. I smile when I smell windex, when I see blue eyeliner, when I hear a cat meow, but especially when I think of how blessed I am to have spent so much time with you, being taught by you, spanked by you, and just loved by you. You are a smile to any day, dear, sweet mom-friend.
Janet- My word do I miss sitting in your office crying, laughing, talking about men, laughing about Sheila’s pet coats, and just being in your company. I miss watching you dose off in staff meetings when Rob gets long winded. I miss seeing that green raincoat on the office door, hearing you laugh, talking about Sonic, and telling me your life. But what I am so so thankful for is the great escapade to see your new home, your new life in Edmond. Because you Janet, have a beautiful life. One I am so, so grateful to be a part of. And I miss you. SO MUCH! You are my mom-friend.
And I have others too. The ones who have helped me through big life-transition. The ones who smile with me when I tell them about butterflies–the ones who know how much I love wine…. The ones who yell at me when I’ve done something wrong. The ones who encourage because they want to. The ones who teach that ministry is never ending, unyielding, but rewarding, long lasting, forever. Kind of like friendship. Mom-friendship. Our friendships.
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