Today is a big day in my little world. Though the importance has little to do with me personally, it’s the celebration of two of my closest friends that gives this day so much meaning. Without this day, the people below, and the significance of December 13th my life would look completely different, in the worst imaginable way.

big belly laughs with my girls who make this day great

In the fall of 2001 I was a freshman in high school attending a college readiness program called Upward Bound. You’ve heard me speak on the impact of this program on my life and other first generation, low income students here and here and here. There was one day that I will never forget, we were to meet at the church for lunch following class, and I was lost – which is no surprise to anyone. Turns out, so was Chandra – which is also no surprise to anyone – so together we wandered the campus until we were rescued and returned to our group. That was day 1 of my life changing friendship with a redheaded bumpkin from Hogtown.

TSU UB 2002-ish

It’s been 16 years and not a whole lot has changed. We’re both always lost – both personally and physically – and we’re both always surprised by the reactions of others when either of us opens our mouth. Uncensored is an understatement. We’ve been through the darkest of days – loss of a parent, terminal diagnosis, loss of babies, and so on – but the brightness always outshines the dark, and when our world is rocked to it’s core we’ve been able to get back on our feet because the other was there to do the heavy lifting. Today is a celebration of brightness in our friendship because 9 years ago my Chan married her knight in shining amour.

I would LOVE to tell you that Chad didn’t know what he was getting when he married into this bunch, but we go WAY back as well but that’s a story for another day.

Gustine Prom 2004

So happy 9th anniversary to Chad and Chan! Thanks for letting me be part of your big day, for making sure mine was flawless, for giving me the sweetest niece and for finally sharing my nephew, whenever he’s ready to get here.

Soon to be Lester family of 4

On to my next victim, er celebratory person 🙂 Flash forward a smidge to the fall of 2008. Same campus, still lost, but different program. I was going into my senior year of college and had just inherited roommates. Random placement is an interesting concept: based on some weird questions a stranger predicts who is best suited to live together, without parental supervision, for an entire year, while successfully completing school – ok, sure. So in walks one of my new roommates, who isn’t 21 in a town that is completely dry, and is literally scared of just about everything.

Her first Graffiti night – Fall 2008

We clicked from day one, and haven’t stopped celebrating since. I’m not sure if our friendship was destined to last through the years or if God just knew neither of us could function without the other, but I’ve continued to push her out of her comfort zone in terrifying ways and she has continued to be the safe levelheaded adultish one of the bunch. We celebrated her 20th birthday as roommates, and every birthday since then in epic, not suitable for posting fashion.

Not sure what birthday, 22 maybe?

We even graduated college on the same day in 2011 – her from Tarleton and me from Texas State

No matter the day, the problem, or the celebration, I can always count on my best frannn to be there. Happy 29th birthday to you! I hope it’s your best year yet, and I’m excited to celebrate all of your upcoming life events this year!

Cancun here we come!