Sunday, August 26, 2007

My Friend

I met my friend April my freshman year at Berry. She showed me how to lock my door the first day we were there. (I was not having a blonde moment; the locks were on the side of the door and none of us could figure it out). Anyway, it was the start of a friendship that is still going strong 13 years later! We were roommates the second half of our freshman year, and after that April felt she needed to go to school near her home in Columbus. I can honestly say that Berry was not the same without her.

April is one of those friends who no matter how much times goes by between visits, it always feels like it was just yesterday the last time we saw each other. She ALWAYS remembers my birthday and the kids' birthdays. I really appreciate that about her.

I knew that April had learned to knit a few years ago, and she's mentioned it a couple of times in our phone conversations. I mentioned in our last phone call that I would love a scarf since I didn't have one to endure the long Minnesota winters. Well, Saturday I went out on the porch and found a large box that the mail carrier had left. The return address was April's, so I ran inside expecting to find a scarf that she had said she would knit.

I was completely surprised and amazed when I opened the box and found not one scarf that she had made, but FOUR beautiful scarves that she had made just for me! The picture doesn't really show how beautiful they all are.

April - thank you so much for your friendship over the years and for the beautiful scarves. I can't wait to wear them, and I will always cherish them (and you!).

I hope you all have the chance to have a friend in your lives like April. You'd be truly lucky to.

4 comments:

April said...

Lara - I feel exactly the same!!! Thank you so much for your kind words. I can't believe that Berry has been 13 years ago! To be honest I don't remember the door...but I do remember your perfectly matched room with the apples on the little table and your sweet Mom washing the blinds in the tub. I was so mad b/c my Mom and I had washed them one by one and I was wondering why we didn't think of the tub idea! I knew then we would be great friends. Not only b/c we had sweet, stressed out Mom's who would go the extra mile! But also b/c we were worried about more then just covering up those ugly green dressers with contact paper -we went the extra mile too! I do remember a lot of fun times - Taco Bell runs, raw cookie dough, bowling class with Wesley and Jack (can you believe that a class could be that much fun!!!), yougert with crackers in the dining hall, sink holes, etc! Sometimes I feel like we should still be 18 instead of 31 with 2 kids each! Through it all I am so blessed to have a friend like you! I count on you for advice, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on...I would be lost without you. I count it a honor and a blessing to have you as a friend on this journey called life! I only wish you lived next door while we were doing it!!!! Boy could we get into some trouble!!!! :) Thank you again for your sweet words. I feel so special to be a part of a blog. Not special in a short bus way but special in a queen for the day way :) And I needed it today with Caleb going to school tomorrow. I am having an identity crisis. I have no idea what I will do with myself for those few hours if I am not taking care of one of the kids. I will have to call you and tell you what I find to do!!!!

I love you!
April

Deanna said...

Wow, what a wonderful post, and how cool to have a nice, crafty friend! Seriously - where's the pictures with you wearing them all at once? It's not like you're in Hotlanta in August?! I'm picturing high 70's with a nice breeze... :-)

Hope all is well -

Judy & Marvin said...

Lara,
I remember the first time I met April too, she was an answer to my prayers. I knew right away that God had sent you a good, sweet friend to share your Berry College days with. Thank you April for not only being that kind of friend during college but for all the years that followed. (I can promise you that Lara will be that "faithful friend" to you as well).

But, there is one concern that I do have after reading the latest blog. Do you realize (April) because you made not only one scarf for Lara, but four, that it is going to take her even LONGER to get dressed? She will be trying to decide which one to wear?!!

Here's some advice for you Lara. Just close your eyes and pick one because they are all beautiful!!
Love you girl!!
Mom

Anonymous said...

Ha! your mom's response cracked me up! = ) And, yes, a good friend is always needed. That was a very encouraging blog.

Are you going to our 10 year reunion? It's this October!