Friendship Fridays

Mi gato es mi mejor amigo.

Yes, he has fur.
No, he doesn’t speak English.
(Or Spanish.)

He and I?
Two peas in a pod, anyway.

He gets me.

Friendship Friday

Slumber parties, instant messages, phone calls, notes, epic P.E. hideouts, secret codes, broken hearts, youth camps, life-altering teenage dramas, retreats, Bible studies, weddings, babies… we’ve shared a deep friendship for about fourteen years now.  (That would be half of my life.)  But, we weren’t always BFFs.

In seventh grade, she hated me and I hated her, even though we didn’t know each other at all.  Now THAT is typical of teenage girls!  It turns out that a mutual friend had wanted to keep us from being friends with each other, lest we exclude her.  Connect the dots and you have even more typical, teenage-girl drama.

Sometime into eighth grade, however, things changed.  I don’t remember exactly how we discovered there was no reason to hate each other, but it probably started in Mrs. Midkiff’s English class in 8th grade.  (I’m quite positive that she remembers, however, because she has the memory of an elephant.)  Very quickly, we started spending the night at each others’ houses every weekend.  I joined her church, and by then we were pretty much attached at the hip.  Jennie was – and is – my very best friend.

In my life, Jennie has been an amazing blessing.  She has listened intently to me about issues ranging from the spiritual, to the relational, to the medical.  She never offers trite answers, but instead gives very relevant, thoughtful responses.  She is always helpful, even if she admits that she can’t help with whatever’s going on.  But the way she listens, and the way she responds, is the best kind of help there is.  Jennie has an amazing way of putting things into perspective for me, and then saying something funny to bring me back to reality.  I leave every conversation with something to think about, and with something new to thank our God for.

I remember sharing this verse with Jennie many years ago, and it’s still completely true:

I thank my God every time I remember you.
~Philippians 1:3

**If you’re in DFW and need an amazing wedding photographer, Jennie is your woman!  Click here!**

Friendship Fridays

I met Erica about five years ago (what?!  has it been that long?!) when we were waiting tables.  I felt instantly comfortable around her, and she quickly became one of my very favorite people to work with!  She’s always smiling, and she’s the kind of person that just spreads cheer.  (You know, unless you tick her off.  Then move over!)  Most of the time, though, she spreads cheer.  :)

I’m glad that, even after weddings, kids, moves, and job changes, we’re still good friends.  We don’t talk as often as we should, but we have a great time when we do!

I miss ya, girl, and I’m glad you’re my friend!

Friendship Fridays

Although I was in no way hesitant to leave South Florida for the glory that is the Republic of Texas, (I promise to repost a funny old MySpace “I Hate Florida” rant very soon), I did leave behind some great friends.  One of those great friends is Erin.

When I first met Erin, we were sitting on the bleachers “watching” our husbands play church softball.  (Actually, I think she and Erik were engaged at the time.)  I was quite embarrassed because she caught me reading a real page-turner: Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, the unabridged version.  That sparked a conversation about our respected classrooms and how different both they and we were.

I don’t remember how Abe Lincoln came up, but I do remember Erin enthusiastically contrasting her kindergarten Social Studies lessons with my secondary history class:

Here’s what I say, “Boys and girls, here is a penny!  Abraham Lincoln is on it!  He was our 16th President!”  Social Studies lesson – over!

And you would just have to know Erin.  Her eyebrows are permanently up as high as they can possibly go without merging with her hair, and she is always beaming.  She’s one of those people that you can’t help smiling along with, even if you’re in a terribly foul mood, because her countenance emits every ounce of enthusiasm available in the world.  She is undoubtedly the best kindergarten teacher on the planet.

She even brought along the children’s book, The Giving Tree, to church and read it aloud to me when she found out I hadn’t heard of it.  In her very best kindergarten teacher way, she told me the story and showed me the pictures.  She cried at the end, because, as she says, she can’t ever get through it without crying.  (I must say I didn’t like the book at all, but I thought she was adorably hilarious.)

Besides her endearing kindergarten teacherness, she is undoubtedly one of the best friends on the planet, too.  I always knew she would be there with a great, big smile and a huge hug every time I saw her.  She listened intently to anything I told her, be it silly or serious, and she even said she’d be the first to buy my book when I finished it!  She was by far the most upset person in Miami about my moving away.  She cried and gave me flip-flops she had bedazzled just for me.  (I still wear them.)

She is a great encourager.  She’s funny and sweet and the best friend anybody could ask for.  I miss you, Erin!

Friendship Fridays

Dear Janlee,

You are my husband’s favorite friend of mine.  It’s true!  None of my other girlfriends can hold her own in discussions about the Big 12 (whatever that is).  For this unique talent amid a sea of estrogen, you have engendered a deep respect and sincere (platonic) affection from my husband.  Whenever I go to a RFBC Girls’ Night, his immediate question is, “Will Hoppers be there?  Tell her Justin says, ‘Hey!’”  (Sorry, everyone else, but Janlee is his absolute favorite.)

While my husband’s approval may be most obvious in the shared sports fanaticism, I think it’s due to something deeper.  You, Miss Madill, are one of the most honest and sincere people I have ever met.  It doesn’t matter if it’s pantyhose mishaps or deep questions of the faith; you tell it like it is.   I respect that. 

I feel like I could tell you anything.  You’re one of those rare people with whom, no matter how many days/weeks/months/years it’s been, I can comfortably share whatever’s on my mind.  (Whether it’s pantyhose mishaps or deep questions of faith.)  You make people feel comfortable and, by openly sharing your own life, you communicate that it’s okay to be real.  So, we can be real right back.

Now that is refreshing. 

Thank you for being my friend.

Sincerely your friend,
Angela
(and Justin.)

Friendship Fridays

Today’s Friendship Friday is dedicated to my brother-in-law, Brett.  Today he graduates from college! 

Brett, I am so excited to see you walk across the stage in a few hours.  It has been so amazing to see the beginnings of what the Lord plans for your life.  You are so unique and so talented that I know God will accomplish great things through your life of service.  As always, our prayers are with you as you enter into graduate studies!

Friendship Fridays

I taught 8th grade U.S. History in Miami for two years.  My first year, the science teacher on my team had to quit fairly early on and an interim sub finished out the year.  The next year, there were rumors that a new teacher had been hired (finally!) and I was curious.  On the first day of teacher planning week, I tip-toed into the English teacher’s room to find out if he knew anything about her.  But we had to be quiet because our classrooms looked like this:

 

SCIENCE	ENGLISH
MATH	HISTORY

 

…and the four interior walls were partitions.  She would totally hear us if we weren’t careful!  He let me know she was a first-year teacher and that she seemed nice.  That was all the dirt he had!  I would just have to find out myself. 

Well, her last name was ridiculous.  Balzer.  Really?  I laughed inwardly.  And she’s going to teach 8th graders?  Oh my–those kids are gonna eat her alive!

Well, she doled out every joke you could think of about her name the first time I met her and it certainly broke the ice!  She was ready for them.  And she turned out to be one of the silliest, goofiest, most sincere people I’ve ever met.  I only got to work with her for a year, but I’m glad I got the chance. 

Joanna is one of those people you don’t forget.  Her smile can brighten a room and her laugh is infectious.  Even when facing terrible obstacles – you know, like her heart literally dying inside of her body – she still makes people smile.  I remember how excited she was to coach the cheerleading team.  She made the cutest acceptance cards that looked like megaphones and couldn’t wait to see the girls’ faces when she surprised them in class!  She didn’t always feel good because of her heart, but she did everything she could to put a smile on everyone else’s face. 

Since I moved, Joanna got the greatest earthly gift anyone could receive – the gift of life!  She got a brand-new heart in January of this year.  I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.  Although I haven’t seen her in over a year, I can just imagine that, even in the face of this every day:

 

 …she’s probably still smiling and making everyone’s day.  I miss you Joanna!

(To learn more about her story, click here.)

Friendship Fridays

 

Blakely is…

my new friend!

a great mommy.

funny.

surprising.

silly.

faithful.

smart.

encouraging.

a lot like me.

very different from me.

bovine, when necessary to eat mor chikin.

probably not going to tell her husband I used her real name on my blog.

definitely going to be a blessing.

Friendship Fridays

Amanda.

I don’t remember the first time I met Amanda.  That doesn’t mean she was forgettable by any means.  It probably just means I was uncomfortable because I usually am uncomfortable around new people.  I am that way now, but I was much worse back then.  While I don’t really remember our first encounter, I do remember why we met! 

At the time, my boyfriend and her boyfriend worked at this sucky little hospital in Richardson as physical therapy techs so that they might have something medical to proudly place on their resumes.  They became fast friends and, through the course of several casual conversations, they thought they might be dating the same girl.  Not literally, but they just repeatedly found themselves saying, “Amanda too!” or “Angela too!”  As it turned out, we were both pursuing teaching degrees in secondary English and History at the very same university.  We also both enjoyed writing and reading, much to the bewilderment of our beloved beaus. 

Upon the recommendation that we meet since we were apparently identical, we did.  As I stated before, I don’t really remember that very first time (although I think it was a double date and the restaurant was light brown and the front door was on the side – but all of that is irrelevant).  I do remember that we became friends.  Not fast friends, not best friends, but friends.  We even worked out together at the school gym, when neither of us could come up with an excuse not to. 

Our friendship really developed in the most natural way possible for us – through the written word.  After I moved to Miami, we were pen pals for a bit.  (Yeah, real pens and paper, people.)  Otherwise, we kept in touch electronically, like everyone else.  But it was blogging that really brought us closer.  I know Amanda much more deeply now than I ever have and I know she would say the same about me.  We laugh with each other and get frustrated about the same things.  We pray for each other and encourage each other.  It may happen in different cities and at different times, but it happens.  And it’s fellowship – bloggy fellowship.  And Amanda is my friend. 

And who knows?  Our now-husbands might even still compare notes about us!  They would be smart to do so, because we are ever so complex, yet equally captivating.  Bwahahahaha!  Jimmy and Justin don’t stand a chance. 

Friendship Fridays

My friend, Amanda, recently asked for feedback on daily themes for her blog.  I was trying to be witty by offering some alliterative options when I came up with “Friendship Fridays.”  Immediately, I decided I wanted it for my own blog! 

I am going to start dedicating Fridays to my friends.  Watch out; you might get featured. 

To kick off this new tradition, I would like to mention the best Friend of all:

I first met Yeshua when I was about five years old.  I had heard about Him before, but He was never a big part of my life.  Of course, I called him Jesus back then. 

My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bennight, was the one who really opened my eyes to the fact that I should think about being friends with Him.  I don’t remember any specifics about what she said, but I do remember feeling this compelling need to pray to Jesus.  After my mom tucked me into bed that night, I told Yeshua that I really wanted to follow Him and that I was really sorry for the bad things that I did.  I told Him that I wanted Him to come live in my heart (which is what all us Baptists used to say).  Then, I fell asleep.

I prayed the same prayer night after night, afraid that God would think that I was just a kid and that I wasn’t serious.  I repeatedly reassured Him that I was not kidding around.  And I imagined Him literally living in my heart.  I pondered how He could fit in there, but I simply concluded that He was magic and could do whatever He wanted.  Silly, but true.  I really believed.

And He has never loosened his grip on me, despite my harlotry.  Now that’s more than a friend; that’s a Savior. 

I love you, Yeshua.