The Value of a Friend

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to go to the beach to celebrate my best friend, Jennifer's, 24th birthday!  Jennifer, Taylor, and I packed up and headed to Litchfield on Saturday.  We would have left sooner, but the weatherman was calling for SEVERE storms- it was bright and sunny the whole ride down.  We spent the weekend laying out by the pool (it was a little cold on the beach), painting our toe nails, playing cards, laughing, snacking on junk food, and just enjoying each other's company.  It got me thinking about the value of true friends. 

Most of my closest friends I met in middle school, and we are still friends to this day.  How many people can say that they have a hand full of good friends that they have known that long?  Paul and I are both like this- we hang on to our friends, especially the good ones.  I didn't realize the special connection that we all shared until I went to college.  I discovered the unlike me, many of the girls I met there didn't have a group like we did.  We spent all of our weekends together, we shared secrets, laughs, and tears.  We have always been there for each other through thick and thin.  Even though we may not all talk on the phone everyday like we used to, I know if I needed any of them- they would be there. I hope they know that I would do the same for them.  We all went to different colleges, but no matter the distance, our friendships stayed strong.   A friend is really a special gift and that is honestly how I think of my friends.  They are gifts that I am blessed with, and I don't know where I would be without them. So, this is a shout out to my TRUE friends.  Y'all mean the world to me.

Taylor, Jennifer, and I after dinner for Jenn's birthday.

It was so nice to be on the beach!
(I have to give props to Jennifer for my lovely painted toe nails)