The 30th is a Special Day!

Not to take away from these two special people, but it is a celebration day for me as well. The reason to CELEBRATE you ask?

On the 3oth of January, TWO wonderful people share a birthday. I find coincidences intriguing. It is a coincidence that Sara and Monique share a birthday and that they are two of the people I can tell anything to without judgement. It is coincidence that I met both of them in fateful ways. It is coincidence that they both teach me to reflect on who I am to grow to be who I want to be. It is intriguing that both of these women share a special place in my life but I am not entirely sure they have ever really met! I love you both very much.
Let us begin with Monique... We met by strange coincidence. We played on (get ready for this) and intramural football team together in college! I think we only played 1 or 2 games but it was enough that when we met standing outside of Todd Aud before chem 105 the next semester we could strike up a conversation. We sat next to each other listening to Professor Place and by March we decided that we would be roommates the next semester. From there we have walked step in step through sharing (or dare I say enduring) an apartment or two, watching Pullman thunderstorms, making our own Thanksgiving dinner, sharing THAT cougar mug as we roamed from party to party opening weekend at WSU, genetics/embryology (hello TA:)/biochem-biophysics/and countless other classes, then graduating college, getting married, having a child, buying a house, having another child, going BACK to school and deciding to be teachers. Seriously, who would have seen that one coming? I have come to know her family and consider her a hero when it comes to balancing her world. Monique is someone I can call when I need to be cheered up, when I need to hear that I am doing a good job as a mom & wife, when I need to hear 'love you' and 'give the kids a hug' because she knows that is what I need. She leaves the very best phone messages because you can hear her SMILE. Monique, I love you and thank you for being my friend. I wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Ahhhhhh Sara! We also met by strange coincidence. Sara was an RA with Tony at WSU. They hated each other. Really. They argued about everything and both instigated each other. When Sara met me (she has said this) she decided I was ok so she would put up with Tony for our friendship. Now they act like brother and sister. They still argue, but they also respect each other very much. I have so many memories (like her 21st & 30th birthdays!), vegging on the couch, sneaking into that swimming pool with my kids! We always have something to talk about! Sara and I have had some good times and we have been each others rational perspective during the bad times. While we immediately clicked, our friendship did not really take off until we both wound up living in the same town and teaching at the same school. I share lunch with Sara nearly everyday and we have 'communal dinners' often, but not often enough. We have shared some of the most important moments over the last few years and I can not be more appreciative of the support and reflection this has given me. She is a remarkable friend. She can tell if I am upset by just looking at me and rest assured I am very good at putting on a happy face. She is so giving of herself and her time, heck, even her house! How can I thank you for being the friend you are? Have a WONDERFUL burger, I mean BIRTHDAY Sara.