'member When?

There are people in your life that make impressions on you. They become a part of you. This post was inspired by Bethany's comment on a previous post. Today is also her birthday, incidentally. :) I remember when we were very young, Lori and I would run around the school causing general chaos and being anything but the proper young ladies we were instructed to be by our dear teacher, Mrs. Hayes. When I think of Lori, I always think of that summer at the 4th of July parade in Small Town, USA. Some days just stick out in your mind as the best days. THAT was one of those days. Then, a little older, when we were finally allowed to "Go to town" Kristie and I thought we were oh so hot making the loop in her old Toyota with too much makeup on and too much hair. Summers with Kristie at the creek, on the horses, and on the four-wheelers are forever burned into my memory as some of the most fun I've ever had. College came and nights out with Nikki were one wild ride after another. Coming home barely before sun-up, borrowing each other's clothes, and making spur of the moment road trips to nowhere are so much a part of me. Just like Nikki is. There are a lot of things that make me remember life with Bethany. Rooming with her or at least near her for most of my college days has left me with memories of laughing so hard we cried and then couldn't remember what we were laughing at. Bethany and I had sooo much in common. And yet we are so different. Every time it is daytime and I pick out a pair of long dangly earrings to wear...Bethany's voice comes to mind saying, "RachAel, you cannot wear evening earrings in the daytime." My reply, "No, Bethany, YOU cannot wear evening earrings in the daytime. I can do anything I want." And now, I am not relying on my friends near as much, but making lots of memories with my husband, daughter, mother, and aunt. Also, there are those sillylovely Girls of Grace that I am back to teaching now. And...God has given me new friends. Marie, Sara, Leslie, Lacey, Hollie, and all those others I am building relationships with. I believe that He gives us the exact friends we need for the step of our journey that we are currently on. But oh how I wish I were geographically close enough to run right over to the houses of my "old" friends, remind them how much they mean to me and how much I love them and hug them really tight and say..."You 'member when...."