Birthday Blog: Meet Katherine

I think the blogging gods like Katherine more than many of my birthday-blog friends. Why, you ask? Because my computer life is FULL of technical difficulties right now. Meaning, NO PHOTOS. And believe, you - me, I've got good one's of her. But, for now. I'll just have to tell you about Kath.

Meet Katherine.

Kath has been my best friend for 23 years, this month. We met the summer before seventh grade, and haven't looked back. We often wonder what life would have been like without each other, and quite honestly, I don't want to know. Having a best friend through those VERY tough years of junior high and high school, meant everything to me.

Katherine (formerly to many of you, Kathy) moved to Bothell from Seattle. And she was cool. I mean, I lived in the suburbs, but she knew how to ride the CITY BUS! (by herself at 12!!) She introduced me to what would become the music of my youth. The Cure, Depeche Mode, Violent Femmes, INXS, etc. (my 'cool' sister Mindy helped in this area as well) She taught me that hot pink and turquoise were OUT. And no more listening to The Jets. (not that she told me this, she just didn't do these things herself)

And what was better than all of this? She was Mormon, too. She believed what I did, lived in my ward and needed a friend just as much as I did. Another GREAT perk for me was that she was the same height and weight as me. And when you're no small fry, having a best friend that wears the same size clothes and shoes is awesome!

We spent every second we could together. We took ballet together. (OH!! I have to get the scanner going. These pictures are NOT to be missed. Plus, she'll hate me for showing them) We drank Calistoga's and ate cool ranch Doritio's every weekend, after we walked to the Plaid Pantry to get them. We wrote SO many notes during school, it's not even funny. We still have ALL of them. I once wanted to start a blog of just our notes, they're very funny. (I guess texting has taken the place of note writing and folding them into little rectangles. What a shame.)

We had P.E. together with Ms. Lambley for first period of seventh grade. That was the start of many, many classes together. We were locker partners, on the Tennis team together, paper staff, took driver's-ed. together, hours of after seminary fun (although she missed A LOT of seminary :) ) . Basically, we spent our lives together.

As we grew up, got boyfriends, went to college and moved on, we stayed as close as ever. When her heart was broken by an un named boy, one cold January day, she showed up at my dorm to stay on the floor for a few days. I cried my heart out many a time over the loss of love, as well. And when we finally found our own "Price Charmings", it just so happened that they were childhood friends as well. (nice, huh?)

We were bride maids at each others weddings. Our first three years of marriage (we married 7 mos. apart) we spent most every weekend with the Smith's. When their first baby was born, I was one of the first to see him. I was standing in the hall, at the door, the minute he was born. Crying.

And then, long distance came into play. The Tennis' moved to Texas.

Nope. Not even a couple thousand miles could keep us apart. We talked weekly. The last two weeks before Samuel was born, Peter had to be out of town and I was afraid to be alone in case the baby came. Kath was first to volunteer to fly across the country to keep me company, her nine month old and all.

Aren't we lucky? Are you jealous? You should be, I pray Ruby can find a friend like this someday.

Moving to Utah made it much easier to keep in touch. And we do. We see each other a couple times a year and still talk all the time. We both have four kids, hers are all about 9 mos. older than mine. She still lives in Bothell, my hometown, and always welcomes us with open arms. My little family has spent more nights at their house then a family should. She NEVER, NEVER hesitates to open her house to us. (okay, neither does Jared) She feeds, clothes, and entertains to no end. (thank you, thank you, thank you - again!)

She never misses a birthday of mine. Sometimes the only present I get (other than my parents) will be from Kath. Something home made and wonderful, or something she knows I'll totally love! She is amazing and can do most anything. She taught me how to do flowers, garden, (which I totally stink at BTW) and many other fun hobbies I have. She and I have quilted around the world, TWICE! On each of these trips, she and I constantly PROJECT! (our favorite thing to do!) You think I'm kidding, huh? If only. We love it! This last trip, we weren't even in town more than a couple of hours and she had me at the church making pioneer clothing. (which funnily enough, wasn't our first time.)

And on occasion, when she can bear to, she comes to see me in Utah. (she hates Utah almost as much as I used to - ah, youth...) A few years ago we went to our 10 year class reunion together. (she paid for me, I didn't have the money at the time - see? Lucky, I know) We laughed until we almost wet our pants. We had such a great time together.

An old friend said, "You guys are still friends? Didn't you used to be connected at the hip?"

"Yep. We laughed. And we still are."

Thank you for the very many years of friendship Katherine. I love and appreciate you so much.

Happy Birthday!

There are SO many things I have to say about our 'life' together. I really should write it down. I know this is long, but I hope you know how much I love Kath. I still can't imagine my life without her.