I actually met Mindy Hauger in 1st grade...we were in different classes, but somehow ended up next to each other at a lunch table. She was funny and silly and tried to tell me there were butterflies on the ceiling. Later in 4th grade, when I was a bit geeky and awkward and chubby and had a really bad haircut, there was a group of girls who decided that everyone in the 4th grade should not like me...by the way, I still remember the names of those girls...one reason I will ALWAYS encourge my girls to be kind to others...there are some hurtful things that kids will never forget. But what I will also never forget is Mindy Hauger...she didn't do what others told her to do. All the other kids ran across the playground yelling horrible names at me and while I ran off crying, it was Mindy who followed me and refused to treat me so horribly. She has been my best friend ever since, and I admire more than ever for her actions that day.
I met Mariah McKechnie on the first day of 8th grade. She was the new girl with super long flowing hair and she dressed like nobody else in school. Clothes like I'd never seen before...I'd learn later that some were her mom's old clothes, some were from thrift stores. She had her own style and didn't care what anyone else thought. She also ran for homeroom rep against the boy who had been the rep for the whole 7th grade the year before and beat him...WOW!!! I was so impressed with her confidence and her spirit. Over the year she became one of my closest friends and has been one of my best friends ever since.
Jenny, Mindy, and Mariah...over the years our lives took different turns and paths. Mindy started a family, Mariah went to France, I chased the Miss ND crown and became Jenny Wylde. I don't know if you could find three girls more different...or three girls who love each other more.
This weekend Mindy and her daughter Gretchen and the girls and I road tripped to Maple Grove to celebrate the 1st birthday of Mariah's twin daughters, Lily and Josephine. I could not walk away from this weekend without spending several minutes in prayer and thanks to God for our friendship and the unique role we each play in one anothers life. It is such a gift to have close friends who are such a big part of your life's history and who have really seen you through it all - teenage drama to parenting joys:)
I love you girls!!! Looking forward to our slumber party weekend!!!
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