I can't begin to explain the love and service and friendship she has blessed me with over the years. Let me quickly highlight a few (and over the next week I hope to address some in more detail). Despite the fact that Jen could entertain the Duchess of Windsor and know exactly what fork to use, she is always happy to accompany me to McDonalds for some comfort food. We even shared the ignominy of being banned from one particular Happy Arches due to our rowdy toddlers (thanks a lot Millie & Will!). She has packed my kitchen, helped me wax my legs, visited me in the hospital, brought me perfectly blended Diet Coke/Coke mixtures from White Hen Pantry, made me food to die for (even when the coconut caught fire--twice), talked me off the ledge, praised my meanness, lusted after Darcy with me, reminded me I'm still smart, made me laugh til I wet myself, and labelled every light switch in my house (Jen, you are the Labeler my friend).
Perhaps because we met in an academic setting, Jen and I have always shared our love of books with each other. The Harry Potter series gave us endless hours of intense, nerdy, lovely conversation. She'll deny it now but I had to convince her after book 6 that of course Snape was loyal, that, not unlike Darcy and Elizabeth, it was just a big misunderstanding. Shortly before the final book came out, we started to worry--how on earth could we read the last tome with the attention it deserved and not completely neglect our children? The solution was the highlight of 2007 for me. Along with our buddy Carolyn, we reserved a room at a local Marriott, bought books at 7am, and read until 1am, taking breaks only to eat and occasionally cry (Why Doby!? Why!?). Jen went home that Sunday and taught an amazing YW lesson on choice and accountability based on the books. She hit it out of the park. And is it just me, or is Jen sooo Hermione?
We had such a good time in Marriott Book Prison that we decided to repeat the experience this summer with the uber dorky but fun Vampire book Breaking Dawn. In a Celebrity Death Match, Stephanie Meyer would get her fanny kicked by J.K. Rowling. But when you have four friends, it really doesn't matter what you're reading because Jen + Heather+Sande+Carolyn + Diet Coke + candy - children=hilarity. Renesemee? Seriously? Seriously..jpg)
The bottom line is that over the years the fabric of our lives have become so intertwined that it hurts to imagine my life without her in it. My goal is to spend at least the next 17 years in the same community with her so that our separation will be the exception, our togetherness the rule. Happy birthday, dear friend. I love you!