Thank you November!

How about a long one to make up for the last 4 days?

I was just thinking yesterday that November has been awfully kind to me. A lot of my favorite people were born in November and they aren't just your everyday, hey that person is swell, kind of friends. They're the kind I see being around forever. Like old and gray sitting in rocking chairs on the porch talking about "the good old days" kind of friends. The ones that, even though we may not see each other often, I feel a constant connection to. You know the kind? This is my mini-tribute to them. The first birthday of the month was my little niece Emmy but I've already given her an entire post. And here they are, in order by date. Ready? Go!

Heatherfer strangling me while hanging out in our favorite place.

Heatherfer, Heffer, Heatha Lee, Heather Bee Lishop- November 12th- Ah, she's a good one that Heatherfer. Our friendship began because of her mom. It was one of my first days going back to church after several years and her mom came up and said that she couldn't wait for me to meet her daughters because she just knew that we would be friends! Heather is one that I rarely see but when we're in the same state we always make time to get together. There is no awkwardness after months of not seeing each other, just a whole lot of talking and laughing and catching up. I sure love her for that!

Joanie and I making a snow man over Christmas break before she was a wife or a momma.

Joanie-November 14th- She may have less nicknames but that doesn't mean I love her any less. :) Joanie and I met at EFY and grew a long and lasting friendship over many trips to Kings Dominion and Fredericksburg, VA. We had sleepovers galore, drove from state to state visiting friends (still can't believe our parents let us do that...) and ate a whole lot of food. Joanie and I haven't lived in the same state since we were 17 and have never lived closer than an hour or more drive but we have made it work. From visits to Idaho or Utah, a drive to North Carolina over Christmas break or the many drives to Frederick and Baltimore we've kept a friendship that I don't plan on ever losing. :) She's married and a momma now and we don't get to talk much but I love her and I love her insight and I love knowing that we'll always be friends. Maybe someday we can live closer to each other. :)

Al and Conor while painting our living room.

Al, Alley-son-November 14th-Another November 14th? Did I forget to mention that most of these friends were born within a week of each other (in different years of course). Al and I were roommates at The La Hacienda and are roommates once again. I feel like we are the perfect roommates and I'm a wee bit sad that she'll probably be leaving me in the next few months for an eternal roommate but these things happen (especially when you live with me). Al and I have a lot in common, and are also very different. I love her for her willingness to ask me hard questions and to challenge me to be better. We've gone long periods of time without seeing each other or talking but it tends to be pretty normal once we see each other again. I'm grateful to be able to live with Al for a few more months before life changes.

Proof of Chris encouraging me to face fears.

Chris-November 17th-Yup, even my best friend was born in that one week period. See, November is good to me. Chris and I met at the ripe old age of 18 and bonded over the making of enchilada's, roommates that threw tables and an epic (EPIC!, chris) prank war. Our friendship grew after his mission and now I consider him like family. We've gone on many adventures, including San Diego, Vegas, San Francisco and Gaithersburg. We've had our moments and our difficult times but we've always come out of it and usually stronger. He has the ability to make me laugh even when I don't want to, he encourages me to do things that I'm afraid of, I have told him things that I don't see myself sharing with anyone else. I feel like I can be myself around him and although I have walls that prevent me from being perfectly confident in things he proves to me again and again that he won't ever look down on me for feeling a certain way. When I look at where our friendship started and look at it now all I can say is, I'm grateful. We've been through a lot, a lot of things have changed, we have changed as people and we have gone through a lot of difficult personal times but our friendship has lasted and gotten better along the way. This poor boy is stuck with me for the long haul. :)

Sassy and Uncle Tommy-November 26th-Thank you November for giving me an Aunt and Uncle. :) They're pretty great. You probably wouldn't guess that they are twins upon meeting them because they couldn't be more different. Some people think it's odd that I'm so close to my Aunt. Our family is weird like that though. She's a fun aunt and a loving and involved aunt. Sometimes this might mean that she's a worry-filled aunt as well. :) We're pretty lucky to have her. As for Uncle Tommy, I was afraid of him until about 6 months ago (ok...maybe a few years) but I'm finding that he's just a big joker and a loving guy. I may have ruined "the big game" the day that I was born but I think at least part of him was glad I was here. :) I'm excited to see them both when I go home in a few weeks!

Aunt Debby-November 28th-Sad that not having facebook to remind me made me forget my Aunt Debby. My apologies! I always love seeing my Aunt Debby and going to their house. Christmas without going to their house never feels right to me. A few years ago I had to fly back to Utah on Christmas and everyone (especially me) was so sad that I had to leave before the festivities really began. Much to my joy the flight was overbooked and I was able to fly home the next day. I loved walking back into Aunt Debby and Uncle Tommy's house and hearing all the joyful sounds. It felt like Christmas for real at that point. Have I mentioned that Aunt Debby is also a wonderful cook? I want to be like her someday!


Corinnie, Rin, Wee Wee-November 30-Corinnie was one of my first roommates and things started out a little bumpy. Then out of the blue over Christmas break we realized we missed each other and talked for several hours on the phone. Ah, that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Corinnie is one of my favorites and I love our phone dates. (I hate that we have to have phone dates but busy lives call for such things.) After traveling with Corinnie I decided that either SHE is the perfect traveling companion or it's just that a former roommate is the perfect traveling companion. We spent 5 days together 24/7 (even had to share a bed) and never fought. We both had frustrating moments, mostly due to getting lost on a regular basis and we just knew when to leave each other alone. It was perfect. Corinnie was with me on the horrendous drive across the country when I moved back to Maryland. It was long, and I was sad and very much lost in my thoughts most of the time but we still managed to have fun and come out of it still friends! Go us! Corinnie and I laugh lots when we are together and she is a fantastic listener. We can always count on each other for a good rant too. I'm sure that we'll be friends for many years, we have to be because we have many more Boston trips planned. (We have a 5 year plan, it's serious!)