My favorite Bethany

I had dinner with this beautiful lady last night.

Her name is Bethany, and she’s one of the most special people I’ve ever known in my life.  I’ve known her pretty much since she was born, growing up in the same church, but we weren't close until we were adults.  

She gets to claim this blog post, because between her and I, we have 9 kids, 

which means we don’t hang out enough, and I’m so glad I was able to steal her away last night for dinner at Panera Bread.  And as we talked, I kept thinking about how beautiful and special she is, inside and out, and how grateful I am for our friendship.  Anne of Green Gables (my favorite heroine)  would talk frequently of kindred spirits, and I never knew what that meant until Bethany.  There are no walls with Bethany, no insecurities.  I am me, she is she, and we accept and love each other simply at that.  We understand the other, because we’re so similar.  And when life is crazy and we haven’t gotten together in far too long, we just pick right up like we saw each other yesterday.

I love her tons.  And her giant family.  J

I hope my kids each find a friend like her in their lifetime.  One who feels like family, even when you’re not.  The type of friend who listens to you cry about the same sorrow, for months, and listens every time like it’s a fresh hurt.  Who literally sits beside you at your divorce and keeps you calm and collected. 

A friend who invites you over to watch a chick flick, yet falls asleep before the end.  Every time.  ;)

Who agrees to race you, to see who can have 6 kids first, but then cheats and has twins!!

Someone you can talk on the phone with for way too long, even though you hate phone conversations. 

Someone who totally gets wanting a big family, and why 4 kids doesn’t feel like enough.

Someone my 12 year old adores and asks to spend time with.  And who has such beautiful, sweet babies that she asks me to drop her off so she can be a mother’s helper (aka baby holder).

And someone so special, that simply spending an evening with her makes me feel refreshed and blessed.

This is sappy, I know.  J  But she truly is blessing in my life.  I don’t know that I could have made it through these last few years without her friendship.  And as we ate dinner last night, I was so aware of how grateful  I am for her, and how beautiful of a person I think she is. 

I wanted her to know.  Hopefully now she does.  J