This weekend one of my dreams came true. I got to hang out with all of my very best friends at the very same time. For my bachelorette weekend all I wanted was some quality time with these people and every single one of them showed up. The party started Friday night at an Airbnb in Indy-- not until I arrived did it sink in that all of these people would be there together.
Sarah Battaglia-- I'm so thankful that the timing worked out for us to have just enough time to meet, get over our first impressions and become the best of friends before you moved away to Illinois. I'm thankful that we're both good at long distance friendships. I'm thankful that you're the kind of friend who is always so easy to be with, who gets what really matters in life and who cares about having conversations that matter.
Ellyn-- We officially met in 2009 when you were a CILT and you came to YL with me the whole next year when I moved to Indy. But the greatest chapters of the story of our friendship are the past 5 years we spent together in Choctaw cabin with the CILTs. You are one of my greatest partners in crime and have taught me so much about accepting yourself and others, selflessly loving people (like volunteering to move all of their stuff to another cabin multiple summers in a row) and embracing every moment as an opportunity for laughter.
Arie-- You are in so many frames of my childhood and understand what it was like growing up as a camp kid better than anyone else-- climbing under the Trading Post, making a profit in the Camp Cookie Co and showing up to every chapel all summer long. I'm so thankful that we've stayed in each other's lives even as we've moved away and changed and grown and become different people.
Katie Dekoster-- I'm so lucky that my sister has become one of my best friends. I love that we can still end up laughing till we cry like we did when we were little and that you're still the best sounding board for advice or support about anything. Thank you for making this weekend happen and wanting to know and love my friends because you know they're important to me. I admire the friend and wife and mother you've become and am so glad I still get to follow in your footsteps.
Smooney-- You get me. I get you. We were meant to be friends. Sometimes I feel like we share the same brain (which makes sense since we have almost identical ESFJ-A numbers) and working with you is effortless. Someday we'll run the Amazing Race together and dominate the whole dang thing with problem solving, positivity and being efficient. Thank you for showing up, listening, caring and being one of my best friends despite the distance.
Kayla-- I'm so glad that you joined the Tecumseh fam when you did and that you're intentional about becoming friends with everyone you can. I have loved having you as my friend during this whole season of life and am thankful for your creativity, passion and generosity. You live life big and invite everyone within earshot to join the party.
Smelko-- Little did I know for most of my life that I was missing out on having you as my friend. Thank goodness we're on each other's teams now. You're the queen of so many things-- boomerangs and coffee and Wilderness and Spotify playlists of course, but more importantly of being intentional with your time and your words and anticipating how you can love your people best. I've got so much respect for who you are and how you're living your life.
Hannah- You are something special. I could sit and talk with you forever and I'm confident that you could become best friends with anyone. You're someone who values friends of different ages and different seasons of life. At moments I've been your YL leader but in so many other moments and conversations you've spoken wisdom and encouragement into my story.
Lizzie-- I still remember the moment last summer when you said, "Sarah, when you have a bachelorette party this year," and I wasn't even engaged yet, "can I come if I fly in from Colorado?" You never want to miss a moment with your friends and and want to have a front row seat to every big event. Thank you for showing up and loving me and wanting to spend the whole weekend with my people and driving to camp and seeing my future house and the reception venue and meeting YL girls and just everything. I love you and your heart and your Liz-ness.
Emily Glanders-- We've been friends for over a decade and I have no doubt that this is still just the start. I love that our friendship always picks up where we left off last and that we both make sure we get a spot on the calendar. You're optimistic and patient and honest and fun-loving. You make everything more fun and instantly make people feel like they can be your best friend.
KCraig-- I never have enough time with you. Whether you were sitting in my classroom during your prep, we were running Wyld Life as side-kicks or we're squeezing in friend dates whenever our calendars allow, I just want always want more KCraig in my life. You're a whirlwind of life, dance moves, bold honesty, belly laughter, gracious truth and fun. We've been together on the peaks and in the valleys and I love you with my whole heart. Can't wait to be friends forever.
Johnna-- When we first met I had such a friend crush on you. Lucky for me, a year later that friendship got to happen and it's been a brilliant addition to my life. Thank you for calling me your friend and pulling me into your family and telling me to show up whenever I want. You accept me, and everyone else, exactly as I am and take on the role of cheerleader in our lives. Thank you for all the ways you've shown up, listened and loved in this season of life.
I've got the greatest home team of friends. I love you people.
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