On turning 30

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA LEE!

Welcome to the world of 30. Since you plastered my picture all over Facebook (thank you for that, by the way), I figured I'd take a turn and share a few stories and pictures here, in a few installments that will post throughout the day. Enjoy. :)


We met in Kindergarten. Mrs. Poppen's class. I look at Gage's Kindergarten class and pray everyday that he starts a friendship and real and wholesome as ours. Who would have known that 25 years later, we still adore each other. I remember the story your mom tells about calling Mrs. Poppen to ask if 'The Franken Girl' was ok for you to hang out with. Thank goodness she said yes. :) Check out this picture I found of us...there you are in the your white dress, red bows, curled hair and fancy black shoes looking mighty fine. At the other end of the Kindergarten girl line is me, in my Little House on the Prairie dress and lion mask. Crayons are still awesome.

Summers were always difficult. You spent a lot of time in Colton with family, church and activities and I did the same in Madison. The 7 or 8 miles that separated us in the summer might as well have been an entire state. Thankfully, our parents were great about letting us sent letters back and forth. And fortunately, some have survived the test of time. I like this one best.

Throughout elementary school, it was pretty evident that our teachers didn't want us in the same class. Or maybe our parents requested that, at any rate, we were reunited a few times, and especially enjoy joint adventures like this fourth grade field trip. How is there only one fanny pack in this picture, and two pairs of Hammer pants? Also in style: windsuits, tight-rolled pants and cheesy grins.

And then we graduated. Through high school, some of our activities overlapped, others did not. We went our separate ways after CHS, attending different colleges. I really thought the separation would make life between us awkward. I feel so fortunate that our friendship is stronger now than ever before. Getting married and having babies has taken the 400 miles between us and given us something to talk about every day. I value the time we can spend together so much, even if that time is 10 minutes of virtual chat a day. It keeps me sane.

My favorite part of us? Sharing the joys and challenges of being Moms. I think its what we've always been meant to do. Gage was so lucky to spend a day with you last summer. Knowing my kids know you and love you means the world. Thanks for the letter. Anytime I see your handwriting in the mailbox, my heart leaps with excitement and anticipation. You never let me down.

Have a great birthday. Check back again later. I have some great letters you sent me and pictures of some high school adventures. I just need to do a little censoring first. :)

Love you dear,
Kim

Exhibit A

Dana's birthday party when we were in Kindergarten.

What you need to know:
1) It was the first time I visited a friend's house.
2) We decorated our own cupcakes. I'm quite certain mine was the one with candy falling off.
3) Dana's mom (hey Bev!) set up some sort of game in which we followed string to prizes. My prize was a bar of soap in the coolest little pink Barbie soap holder. I kept it in a drawer in my bedroom until the soap dried up. I probably threw it away when I moved to college.
4) I spent a lot more time at Dana's house than she spent at mine. They had a four wheeler. (remember that, there will be a quiz later).
5) The four girls in this picture started Kindergarten together, graduated high school together, and then went on to four different colleges. We now live in three different states. We've shared together in proms, field trips, first loves, broken hearts, weddings, babies, careers, successes and disappointments. I love them.
6) We have recreated 'the cupcake pose' a couple of times in our adulthood. If you're nice, we will share proof at a later date.
7) What we are doing in this picture, taken when we were 5 and 6 years old, says so much about our personalities. Its one of my favorite pictures.
8) Dana loves lists.
9) I don't love lists as much.
10) But I do love even numbers.