Happy Birthday, Anne!

I have a friend. Well, actually, I have been blessed with many friends but this friend is special. We are war brides. Not really, since the term defined means women married during war time. But we like to think of ourselves as such because our friendship was initially forged during a war that both of our husbands served in.

We have been friends for over 18 years now. That might not seem unusual but when I tell you that we only lived within the same vicinity of each other for a few short months that might give you another perspective of our friendship. We have stayed in touch through letters, cards and telephone calls - land lines, you know the kind stuck to the wall in your house - in the beginning. Then came e-mail! What a blessing. But we still have to have our occasional chat on the phone because we just need to hear one another's voices and share laughter.

There have been many tears shed together and for one another and there have been countless prayers lifted for each other and our families. We've been through good times and bad, happy times and sad, mournful times and joyful times. She is the God parent to two of our children (officially) and has generously and gracefully served as the adoptive God parent to all the others, knowing that, for various reasons, their own God parents weren't taking their responsibility seriously. She is not one to allow that - she is a warrior for Christ. In fact, it was her prayers and a very special gift she once gave me that I believe lead me to the Catholic Church. It was a very simply and lovely rosary with a message written on the back of the box. I still have it to this day.

We were able, on a few occasions, to meet up and spend a brief visit with each other. She has visited me and our family on very special occasions and we have met for conferences that we both love to attend. We're hoping to do that again - very soon.

I share this because today (technically tomorrow) is her birthday. I have never been very good at remembering to send a gift or even a card these last few years. But I want to take the opportunity to tell her how very special she is to me and I want to celebrate her birthday OUTLOUD! So, Anne, if I could I would meet you early in the morning for breakfast and tea. We'd sit for hours chatting about everything. One better, if I could, I would meet you in my kitchen in the morning for scones and tea. Then we would watch our kids play together in the backyard and we'd walk through our gardens and orchards together enjoying the sunshine. We would complete the day with a family backyard barbeque followed by a relaxing paddleboat ride, in our own pond. Or if you prefer, we could leave the kids at home and run away to your favorite location for lunch and time away shopping or at the museum or whatever would make you smile.

Happy Birthday my dear friend!!