The Best of the Bunch.....

Renae's birthday lunch last year.

And what do ya know....it will be the same fabulous bunch at lunch this year!

Renae and I in May after her first half marathon and my first 5k.

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Instead of just another happy birthday blog post I thought I'd share a little story instead.
A story about how my life was forever changed by the thoughtfulness of a stranger.
When we first moved to FF almost 8 years ago I was lonely. We didn't know anyone outside of a few church acquaintances and the missionaries. From December of 2001 until September of 2002 I had very little contact with the community and little opportunity for making new friends. Things picked up a bit when Miranda started kindergarten and FFSchool of Dance in the fall of 2002 and I met a few women. At the time I really wanted someone to scrapbook with and just a friend in town that I could maybe do things with. In October of 2002 I found out I was pregnant with Kamiryn (well I didn't know it was her at the time) and shortly thereafter I began weekly non-stress tests at the hospital. During my visits I'd take along a scrapbooking magazine to read. One of the nurses would always sit and visit and was just so nice and friendly. She saw my scrap mag one week and told me about another hospital employee that had started a scrapbook business in her home and was hosting scrap nights. I was so very excited about the prospect of a scrapbook buddy and a new friend. Marjan and I visited on the phone a few times and then made arrangements for me to come over to scrapbook togetehr one evening. I had no idea that she would be doing some friendship "match-making". She invited another woman over that evening as well. Someone she thought might have some things in common with me. We were both new in town and neither of us got out much. We both have little girls. Renae's two daughters are the same ages as Miranda and Madison. We both love scrapbooking and preserving memories, but most important at the time, we both needed a friend. Our friendship grew slowly at first but somewhere along the line Renae went from a friend to someone that I will treasure for eternity. Renae has been so much more than just a good friend to me over the years. We've been through a lot together. She has motivated me to be a better person,
encouraged me along the way and refuses to listen to any whiny excuses I might give her for why I cannot do something. She believes in me. I am forever grateful for her.
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Renae, I truly wish you the very happiest of birthdays today. So far we've had 8 years of making memories together and I hope that when you're 80 we'll still be celebrating your birthday together. You are a fabulous, talented and beautiful woman. I am truly blessed to have you as my friend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAE!!!!