In 1990 I met one of the most wonderful people that I've come across in my life, not my husband (he came a year later), ...my best friend. We formed a deep connection, a sisterhood that perhaps, and unfortunately, some people never feel. We laughed more than anything when we first met. You know, the kind of laugh that annoys everyone around you, but makes you feel so good. That infectious giggle that you don't want to stop...ever! The kind of laugh that literally makes you pee your pants! (but that only happened once, and I had just had my daughter...I had a weak bladder!)

I was in my 2nd year of community college when we were making plans to get an apartment together. It's probably a blessing that I met my husband, graduated and got married in August of 1991. Who knows how much trouble we would have gotten into if we actually did end up being roommates. Poor Harry, little did he know at the time that he was getting the "2 for 1 special", he married me and got me and my best friend! We were inseparable! Silly and loud, happy and carefree.

Life moved fast. I got a "grown up job" in my field, and within a blink of an eye, I was pregnant with my first born. Harry and I were both working 2 jobs to make ends meet. I remember how pissed off I would be when my best friend called me at 10pm to "go out"...as I'm in my pajamas, feeding my baby. How dare she! I guess I would have been just as mad if she didn't call. Once she got me to meet her out...only her!

Life got a little complicated. She was always there for me...I hope I was there for her. Looking back, I think in our late 20's and early 30's we kind of envied each other. I had the 2 kids and a house, she was living the single life. What's that saying? Something about grass and it being greener on the other side???

In 1996 Harry and I moved to Georgia, a couple of years later my best friend moved to Florida. Years went by when we would see each other maybe once a year...but when we did see each other, it was like we would pick up where we left off...always laughing.

We've watched each other go through a lot over the past 20 years. She was there for my daughter's birth almost 16 years ago, I was there for her mom's funeral just last year. I could fill 15 books with our stories.

I had the honor of sitting next to my best friend at a baseball game tonight, along with my family and some of my other best friends (you can never have too many!), and as always, she made me laugh. Giving and kind, funny and still so carefree. I hope she knows how much joy she brings to people.