for my darling friend leah

today is leah's birthday. we've been friends since the third grade and great ones at that. I mean why wouldn't we be? I once took her to a unc football game but clarified that the only reason she was there is because my better friend lauren couldn't come that day... clearly I've never had a filter. despite the fact we are almost complete opposites, leah and I have always just worked. she spent the night with me over Christmas break and we got to really catch up on the past semester of our lives. being at schools five hours away and my trips to carolina normally being for football games, it had been so long since we really got to catch up. like two pre-teens we excitedly discussed boys, religion, life, the works. we laughed a lot but things also got serious. I enjoyed this quality time with her so much and have been thinking a lot lately about how much her friendship means to me.

leha, you have always been the most beautiful and genuine person I know. even in the third grade, you had a strong head on your shoulders and a heart that cared for everybody. thank you for wiping my butt when I got a strawberry sliding into home base playing kickball. thank you for my limited too soccer t-shirt. thank you for always being there for me and never loving me any less when we didn't see each other every weekend. you have a light that shines and is so special. I hope to think a little of that rubbed off on me. thank you for being able to open up to me after all this time and for being such a wonderful friend. I hope you have a wonderful 20th birthday, I hate I can't be there to celebrate with you at this very moment. I promise to take you to a field for a picnic or something the next time I visit. love you high as heaven,
chrifina