Do you have friends that you can go long spans of time without really talking... past the usual surface conversations... and still pick right back up like it was yesterday you were spending every day with them? I had the priveledge of attending a Nurse Practitioner conference in Denver, Colorado with my good friend Danielle. Danielle moved here from her hometown of Mississippi I guess about 16 or 17 years now. I remember it so vividly the first time I met her in Maebob's. I had heard "we" had hired some girl that was new in town. When I met her I remember thinking...she's beautiful...nice...and how in the world were we blessed with someone so smart? All that in one package...yep and how could I forget... she has an amazing voice! Danielle and I became an item...each other's sidekick. I will admit, we were young and probably didn't make the best decisions about where to spend our leisure time. We loved to dance and we loved disco music...so the combo called for many late nights/early mornings in Mac won at Liz Reed's Music Hall. I don't even know if that place still exists. She has been with me through many milestones. She and Stefan, Jason's lifelong friend, were with us when we got engaged at Disney World. She was in our wedding. We both went to nursing school at GCSU but somehow...not at the same time. We attended graduate nursing school at GCSU together. This was the best and the worst times of my life. We spent many long nights together...this time not dancing until sweat was dropping off of us...yet studying disease processes and treatments. I have even driven to her house in the middle of the night during crisis...was she frustrated with me?...was her husband frustrated with me?...No, in fact, I was greeted with a fresh pot of coffee from her husband, Matthew, and Danielle's sweet prayers. Memories...it causes me to reflect on how times and interests have changed and how much we have grown. Now, we are wives, busy working moms...but still share a friendship that will never end. Instead of chatting over which outfit we will wear to Liz Reed's...we talk through tough life situations. We were able to spend lots of time together in Denver this past weekend. We laughed, talked, prayed and did Bible study together. This is evidence of two lives that have changed. God has worked in both of our lives and I am so excited about seeing what He is up to next. If there was a common theme for most of our deep conversations I would say it was dying daily to yourself. Not looking out for what you want but for what others need. Giving your all and not expecting anything in return! This was a special weekend for me and I thank God for allowing me the resources to go and for blessing me with a special friend!
