The ATL Meets the GEG

My sophomore year of college wasn't too exciting.  I had contemplated not returning to Western Baptist because of some rules that I didn't agree with.  My mom told me that she wasn't paying for an extra year of college if all my credits didn't transfer, so I was stuck.  I went back not the happiest camper. 

One afternoon while I was working on a paper or maybe playing solitaire, I got a knock on the door.  It was a girl from down the hall asking if I wanted to run an errand with her.  Steph was someone I had always thought seemed like a super fun person, but was always imtimidated to talk to because she knew EVERYONE!  That day she asked me to run an errand with her.  I got her in Ford Fiesta and she threw a baggie on my lap.  As I unwound the baggie, I asked her where we were going.  She said, "Petsmart!"  As she said that I looked at the baggie and noticed a dead fish inside. 

"He jumped the tank and died, but he's under warranty so we're going to get another one."  I sat in the car, holding that dead fish, seeing spots and freaking out on the inside because there was only a small layer of plastic separating me from a fish carcass.  I kept my cool because I really wanted to be friends with Steph.  That is how Steph and I became friends.  It's a story that I was able to retell at her wedding and will share with all her children and grandchildren.  It's so touching, how could it not be shared?

After she got married to her amazing husband, she moved to Atlanta since that's where he lived.  I tried to talk her into a long-distance marriage so she would stay close, but obviously she really loves Kendall!  It's rare that we get to see each other because neither of us have private jets (which is a great Christmas idea!  We only need one between the two of us!).  When she came up to see her grandparents, I took a day off, loaded Zoe into the car and drove to wherever they would be. 

It was well worth it!  We got to spend time with Steph and her beautiful girls. 

It is such a blessing to have a friend that no matter the physical distance or the length of time between phone calls, we can still connect, still catch-up like it's only been a short while.  We've always said that our girls would be BFFs and guess what, they totally are!  They didn't even need a fish carcass to do it.  Progress!

Steph,

Thank you for being the friend I can always count on, no matter where each of us are.   Thank you for your constant support, encouragement and Modern Family quotes.  I'm not sure how many friends can form a live-long friendship over a dead fish carcass.  Honestly, you're the only person I'd ever touch a baggie with a dead fish in it for! 

I'm having N work on getting me a private jet so I can come to your neck of the woods and visit.  I love you friend!  Remember, your friends will run away if they're afraid of being chewed!

Kel