truth is

My life is pretty much the same most days.

Occasionally I slip in something fun and exciting. But truthfully, most days I wake up later than I mean to, rush out the door, talk to people for 4 hours, come home, and finish the book I started at work that day.

Most days I just look like this.

Which is cool and stuff. I don't mind (don't mind reading so many books, either. it's quite the delight).

Here's some words of wisdom for you all before I part though:

If you're going to pay money so that when people call you they can enjoy "music while your party is reached", at least pick a good song, okay? Because picking anything akin to the Cotton-Eye Joe or music that would be played in a marching band festival is NOT A GOOD CHOICE.

Also, my sister is pregnant, just in case you were wondering. You could say I'm ecstatic (that might be an understatement though).

the best

Once upon a time, I was living in Arizona and 9 months old. The year was 1994. Imagine me, adorably outfitted in some wonderful 90s dress, wandering the halls of church. Maybe not wandering, because I don't think I could walk yet, but you get the idea. Possibly I looked like this.

So there I am, crawlin' the halls with my Mom, when lo and behold a run into my best friend for the first time. Of course, in that moment I had no idea the friendship that was forming. The girl that approached me was Madison Baker, the talented and beautiful.

Well, time went by. We grew up.

And through it all, we remained the best of friends. At 7, I moved to Utah and she stayed in Arizona. Despite a situation that would usually result in lost friendship, and people growing apart, we've remained close - countless phone calls and summer visits have ensured that. When most people grow apart, we grew together, just in different states.

One time, I flew down to Phoenix to surprise her for her birthday. The plan was to hide in a box on the porch and jump out, but that went up in flames when she saw me before I could even get out of the car.

(Unfortunately [or perhaps very fortunately], I don't have easy access to any pictures of the awkward stage of life, and they will therefore be emitted from this post.)

Then one time (multiple times?) she came out for my birthday.

And last summer, we went to Disneyland. Which was an absolute dream.

Maddy had been with me through thick and thin (though honestly, it's mostly been thick with this girl by my side).

Honestly, I don't know if I can adequately describe the love I have for this girl. She honestly feels like a sister to me, because she knows me so well. I feel like we understand and connect in ways me and my other friends don't. Not to say I don't connect with my other friends, but me and Maddy just work out well as best friends. Perfectly, even. I know that she'll never judge me for what I do or say, and will always love me just for being me. She's held my hair back when I've thrown up (that's true love, people). She's the kind of person I can sit in comfortable silence with for hours and never feel obligated to say anything. In fact, that's often what we do. The other half of the time, we're talking like there's no tomorrow, though. It's a nice mix. I love this girl, and I know we're going to be friends for eternity. Bit much, you may say, but it's true! I also know that Heavenly Father put her in my life for a reason, and I'm so glad he did. We were friends before we came to this Earth, and we'll be friends once we leave it too.

I love you, Maddy. Happy Birthday! 18 years of friendship and counting.

PS. If you were curious, Maddy also has a blog. She periodically updates it with titles that always have to do with food. Because guess what?? She's going to culinary school!

i like the way she puts this

"I have spent far too few moments treasuring the beauty of familiarity. The thought struck me late the other night when I was in the bathroom, cutting my husband's hair. I don't know why it struck me then. I've done it countless times before. But this time, somehow the simple intimacy of knowing exactly how he likes his hair and snipping my clippers accordingly while he watched me in the mirror seemed profound. There is something to be said about sharing your life with someone. Growing up and growing old together. Raising your children. That idea is often romanticized by stories and movies, but amidst the day to day living of that life, the appreciation for it can be lost.

To be truly known by someone, with all facets of your past and present, your weaknesses and strengths exposed and still loved. That is beautiful. And getting to watch the little boy that I have with that someone, grow in his own familiarity with the world and with us, it's a bigger experience than the small words I have can describe. What a privilege it is to be the one that he knows better than anyone. And to experience the seemingly insignificant day-to-day of growing old together with someone. To me there's nothing, even in the constant stream of new and exciting, that could top or fulfill as much as that warm familiarity."

-Sydney, from The Daybook

I look forward to the time when I'll get to have that with someone, too. It'll be nice.