Carrie has been my friend, (though she may argue this) since we were six. I met her in dance class and she fell in love with me or so she says. She thought I was really cool and wanted to be my friend. According to her I was very rude and dismissive of her friendship. I do remember this to a degree. She was always telling me I had pretty hair and always much bugging me. A few times during these early years I would go over to her house because both of our dads were softball coaches. She says she would be so excited for me to come and I didn't even want to play in her room.
Well, we continued on this one-sided friendship. I suppose she just had the foresight to know that one day I would be the one vying for her love and attention. By the time 7th grade came around, she was already attending the School of the Arts, I didn't come until 8th grade. I was a stranger to everyone but Carrie befriended me. She was big enough to see through my years of unfriendship and accept me now that I needed her. I should have known then, she is of remarkable integrity.
We were inseparable from that time on and in college, we were roommates. We were both accepted into a school with very few girls and it was amazing how lucky we were to both be there. During those college years, our friendship changed and was marked by a love so fierce, I knew we would never be apart. In those years, which for me, were full of remarkable struggle she would often hold me in her arms. With a confidence I couldn't muster for myself, she had hope for me and held that hope until I was ready to embrace it myself. In many ways, she saved me from myself.
Carrie was with me when I delivered Tessa, she has been with me when I've run marathons, we shared our weddings... there is little we have not been through together. And today in in the days and months to come I only pray I can return to her the hope she has given me.
May she and her family be in your hope as well.
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