My best friend

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with stress. I tend to work myself into mini-frenzies on a pretty regular basis (part of my hurricane nature). I'm a cool girl, don't get me wrong, but I'm pretty sure I'm a high maintenance kind of friend/wife/daughter/etc. But, I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband that lives with me and a best friend who lives next door.

I talk about Jon all the time, though, so this post is for Allison.




Allison is and has been since the day I met her, 12 years ago, a person with whom I am totally comfortable. Allison knows the real me, and she still loves me. She has seen me at my very worst, and at my very best. She has been a wonderful, supportive, awesome best friend. There isn't a thing in the world I wouldn't do for her, and it makes me want to cry when I think that someday we won't live next door to each other anymore. I mean, just imagine living next door to your best friend. Yeah, it's that cool.

Allison is the coolest and funniest person I know. It boggles my mind to think of all of times we've laughed together. And laughing, I think, is my favorite thing. And not only is she funny, but she thinks I'm funny too, which is conducive to us always having fun. And she is the best Taboo partner in the world. Seriously, we are unstoppable.

And you guys know me...I'm fiery. I'm quick to argue. Allison and I have never, ever fought. That is a real testament to something in her character. She is incredibly level headed, and so freaking peaceful that you would never want to pick a fight with her. The other day I witnessed a drunk acquaintance really piss her off. I've never seen her mad. I've seen her irritated plenty, but never visibly shaken by anger like she was. I was so proud of her restraint. I would have handled the situation horribly, and I'm sure I would have made it worse. But, she was graceful, even when dealing with such a schmuck.

Sometimes I get my mind set on something...Allison is very good at helping me think it through more logically...she's all the time asking questions I haven't thought of.

So much, so very very much, of my personality has been influenced by her. We were friends/roommates throughout all of those years where you figure out who you are, not that I think those years are over. The biggest thing she taught me? To be whatever I want to be. Allison has never been the type to get wrapped up in other people's opinions. Even in high school, she let herself be different from other people...just let herself shine though. I've never known her to make any decision based on someone else's opinions, and there have been times when that would have been easier.

And she is such a loyal, supportive person. She goes to all of my stuff...and I tend to have a lot of stuff. She is there playing my trivia game every Monday. She always comes when I do karaoke, or when I have a play. I really appreciate that, and I don't tell her enough.

Basically, there is no way that I would be as happy or as cool if I hadn't known her.

Allison, I am so thankful that our paths crossed again in college.
I am so thankful that we are friends.
I am so thankful that we will be friends.
I am so thankful I get to see you everyday.
I think you're cool.