Ashley

We were just 18 years old, and living away from home for the first time. We were both nursing students, filled with ambition, and excited to be on our own and call our own shots for the first time… very similar to what most 18-year-olds feelright?

We stayed up too late, had a little too much fun, and were each others’ partner in crime for the first few semesters of college (who me? Little rebellious? Nahhh…). And at the end of the day, we always had each others’ back. Oh, the stories we could tell…. but my lips are sealed. Our college days were before the time of Facebook, Twitter, and instant cell phone pictures.

Thank goodness for that.

And then a funny thing happened…. we both grew up.

We earned our degrees, weathered through the challenges of becoming adults, fell in love, stood as bridesmaids in each others’ weddings, moved away to different places, and experienced all sorts of life crisis together.

I’ll never forget the night I was watching the breaking news on TV about the tsunami in Thailand… I had just found out I was pregnant with Bella, and hadn’t been able to reach my dear friend to tell her the news because she was living in Japan at the time. I knew she was planning on vacationing in Thailand, so I frantically called her mom to hear if my friend was OK. To my relief, she had survived the tsunami (she was actually on the beach when it happened) and was being treated in a hospital in Bangkok. Of all the devastation and loss that was suffered- my friend was safe, and I could breath a sigh of relief.

Our individual lives took several turns along the way, and we have remained loyal and there for each other at each turn. Ashley is someone I know I could call, no matter what the hour, no matter how much time has gone by, and I would hear that familiar and reassuring voice every time. A friendship like that is rare… and special.

And now, we get to celebrate another exciting life moment together. Ash and her wonderful husband Dave are expecting their first child, and it litteraly gives me chills of excitement for her.

Ash, our friendship is a special one. One that flows so easily, and is always able to pick up no matter how busy we are and how much time goes by. And I love you for that. I can’t wait to snuggle your baby boy, and spoil him in a way that only Aunt Bri-Bri can!!  xoxo

And I could have just kicked myself for this… but we were so chatty and having fun taking pictures, that I totally forgot to take a picture of US together!! Grrrr
I didn’t realize it till after dinner as we were saying good-bye, so John snapped a quick few of us in the parking lot. Good ol’ Instagram will have to do for now!