Happy Birthday to:

• the girl who sat next to me in science class in 6^th grade and got much more of a Catholic school education than her parents paid for
• the girl who learned about basket weaving
• the girl who allowed me to break up with her boyfriend for her, only for me to date him the next day
• the girl who shared her first concert experience ever with me
• showed me what a true best friend was
• the girl who knew all the words to the “Steps Song” and would sing with me after volley ball practice
• the girl whose parents always treated me as one of their own (and their favorite)
• the girl who I went on many Lake George vacations with
• the girl who always made it a Blockbuster night, knows every single Olsen Twin movie, and knows where Blockbuster Tom lives
• the girl who fell inside a glass box at Dunkin Donuts
• the girl who spent every summer day during the Little League World Series with me making friends with guys from Alabama and a boy named Harvard
• the girl who kind of threw me out of a boat to prove that I had no upper body strength
• the girl who taught me that some middle-schoolers really didn’t know that cats peed

 

• the woman who taught me that friendship was not hindered by distance and would only get stronger throughout the years
• the woman who is probably still saving up to buy a window in our dream house
• the woman who held my wedding gown up while I went to the bathroom before walking down the aisle
• the woman who helped me pick out my forever puppy on a whim
• the woman who made the best Maid of Honor speech at my wedding, making me both laugh and cry at the same time
• the woman who loves my husband and welcomed him into the family and buys him Harry Potter themed socks for Christmas
• the woman who came in the delivery room after my first child was born, kissed my forehead, and then said “I was wondering what was taking so long.”
• the woman who loves my children like they are her own and would do anything for them
• the woman who I can text a random song lyric or movie line to and have a response back without her skipping a beat
• the woman who I don’t have to worry about TMI with, because no such thing exists between us
• the woman who knows all about penguins
• the woman who I can text when I’m having the worst day ever, and she will support me, make me feel better and remind me that I’m doing a good job
• the woman who literally knows every single thing about me (which is kind of frightening) but she loves me anyway

Diane, you said it best; our friendship can legally drink! I can’t believe that you have been my best friend and by my side every step of the way for 21 years. I honestly could not imagine my life without you in it. You are my best friend, my sister from another mister, and the best Auntie my kids could have. Happy Birthday! We love you and wish you the best day ever, and another fabulous year!