"Let me tell you about my best friends..."

So I've been meaning to do this for a while...actually, to be honest, I've wanted to do this for the past five and a half months, but I haven't. However, I think that I've procrastinated enough that God has let me know what I want to say now...so here it goes.

Everything happens for a reason, and it's all apart of God's plan. I have heard this my entire life, and have preached this to so many other people. Five and a half months ago this smacked me in the face like nine pound hammer. I was in a serious relationship for about a year, and in early December, we broke up. It was difficult...in fact it was the most difficult break-up I've had to deal with. And then there's work stress, school stress, and so many other things getting thrown at me. My life has changed SO much in the past nine months, it is almost surreal. This is not about the break-up though, or any of the other junk I've had to deal with...it's about what happened after. See, in that break-up, I lost my best friend. That happens to a lot of people in break ups. You get over it, find a new one, and move on. I however, was fortunate enough to find not one, not two, but SIX new best friends. SIX new people that I can truly rely on in all situations. SIX people that will not judge me for any action or thought that I may have. SIX people that I can call and VENT to in any situation, and SIX new people who aren't afraid to tell me what I need to hear, and not what I want to hear. These SIX people are what this blog is about.

Timothy. Timmy. Tim.

Tim, you have quickly become one of my favorite people to be around. You have such a positive, and hilarious outlook on life. No matter the circumstance, you have a different way to look at it, and it's shown me how to be thankful for even the crap in life that gets thrown at us. I laugh every time I'm around you and that's been some of the best medicine I could ask for.

Marianne.

Mar, I don't even know what to say. YOU have had probably the biggest impact in my mindset of moving on from the negative situations that I've gone through and to buck it up and move forward. Your faith is so inspiring as well as your lack of caring what anyone-EXCEPT for Jesus-thinks about you. When you told me you were leaving, I saw my brand new life with my great new friend changing...and I hated it. But seeing what God is doing in your life now is revealing to me that YoungLife is exactly where you belong. No questions asked.

DeShawn. Damanji.

Bro. I had told myself that I needed a guy friend that I could go to about anything. Vent to about life's problems, and who would just be there for me. I wanted a brother. I got one. His name is you. You're my partner in crime...or I guess it's partner in fighting crime since we're Batman and Batgirl. Dynamic Duo, me and you! Love you, bro!

Ashley. Ditchy.

Girl...the SUPER quick impact you've had on my life has just completely floored me. In the short about of time we've been friends, we've gotten super close, and shared more laughs and death stares from Beth than most people should in just a few short months. Your faith, and passion, and love for Jesus challenges me to grow in my faith as well. I am counting down the days until you get married for multiple reasons, but the main being that you are going to be SO much closer to me and Bethy. And of course, you'll be Mrs. Scott Worley. :) I LOVE YOU!

Beth. Bethy. Bethel.

GAHH. Just like with Ashley, I cannot fully even comprehend how awesome our friendship has become over the past few months. We've shared so many laughs and you and Ashley have impacted my spiritual life more than you girls realize. I don't think there is anyone that I would trust more when it comes to my future children than you. With Cori and Marianne both leaving, you have been here for me with the hardships I have had to deal with in those situations, and I don't think I could have gotten through it without you. We also share a DEEP and FIERY love for anything Disney, which is always a solid foundation for any friendship.

Cori. Corinja Turtle. Corin.

I don't even know where to start. First off...I've never had a best friend like you. Ever. You started squeezing into my life when someone else was squeezing out, and I know that was simply God's hand on the entire situation. Your friendship is so much better than the one I lost. You were the first one I talked to when I got my heart broken. You were the first one I talked to when things got worse than that. I've never had someone who could read my mind word for word. I would say that you could see into my soul...but there's no point in bringing that up. I could go on and on and on with Pitch Perfect quotes, but we'll just continue that in our brain [yes, one brain] and spare everyone else the awesome. I hate that you're not here anymore...and you abandoned me here in this stupid state [thanks a lot, Chicago]. But because you're my best friend, I will forgive you [eventually]. You my friend have been more of an influence on my life than some people who have been in my life for over 20 years. You are not only a great friend, but a helpful co-worker, a phenomenal singer, a dedicated and outstanding mother, and a loving sister. I'm pretty sure I just need to start planning a monthly trip to Cinci, because I hate going this long without seeing you. I love the words of encouragement you send me though, and I can already tell that this distance won't affect our friendship in the least. We're solid...we're indestructible...like the Express mailbox.

So there you have it. These are the people that have shaped my life and changed it so much with in the past 6ish months. I cannot imagine who I would be without these people. And they're not it either. I have my absolutely wonderful family. Mom. Dad. Shannon, Brittani, Bryanna. Their boys. And of course my little nephew on the way. And then there's Alex and Maggie, Joey, Jay, other Maggie, Deidra, Neely, Amie, Kali, Jessica, Scott Worley, Caryn, Jaymee, Alycia, Shai, and sooooo many others that have gotten me through certain messes that have come my way lately. I love you all and can't thank you enough for loving me and being my friend. I know it can be difficult sometimes, but you guys are wonderful.