Somewhere In Ohio

Right now four incredible girls are driving a truck somewhere in Ohio. With each exit they pass, and each state line they cross, they get one mile farther away from a fifth girl in Pennsylvania who is still making sense of two unforgettable days. Sometimes life is monotonous; sometime life is hard; and then sometimes life is absolutely glorious. My life, the last couple of days, has been absolutely glorious. This entry is a thank you to those four girls, somewhere in Ohio, who brought more happiness, from a thousand miles away, than they can ever imagine.

I will forever remember how I felt when I saw you ladies standing in the driveway as I was overcome by joy, surprise and the thought of is this really happening. And, while I will cherish that moment, it is the little things from the past two days that will firmly etch themselves into my memory.

From now on I won’t be able to walk through the grass by the alumni center without thinking that is where Libby gave us a breathing lesson. I will be reminded when I walk past the shops on College Ave. that store is where Whitney bought that adorable dress which is also right next door to the store where she got a bra stuck around her waist. I know that every time I walk up the Mall, towards the library, that on one special day in May I stood in that exact spot, looked at Allison, and got to share one of my favorite places in the entire world. Finally, each time I pass that awning outside Café 210 I will never forget I sat there and was witness to the strength and courage that lives inside of Emily.

I often say that I feel as though I live two different lives and now I actually no longer believe that to be true. In reality I have one life, one incredible life, and it is because of people like the four of you who are in it. If someone asked me, “If you were to identify the thing you are most grateful for what would be your answer,” it would take me less than a second to emphatically say: Friendship. When I say thank you for driving half way across the country, and making a surprise visit, I feel confident my appreciation resonates with each of you. Yet, one thing I am incapable of fully expressing is the whole-hearted gratitude I feel for the role you have in my life.

Your friendship provided me with comfort during my most trying times and now that I have had the opportunity to share my brightest of days with all of you a thank you doesn’t even come close to conveying my true thoughts. Yet, those two words are the only thing that I can say and please know I mean them with everything I have. So to those four girls in a truck you are a vital part of my past, but please know that your love and friendship are very much a part of my life today and most importantly a big part of my future.

(And for the record it took me so long to write this that I believe those four girls have both Ohio and Indiana in their rearview mirror. So hello Illinois and safe travels the rest of the way.)