This week’s picture is a little different — it’s a throwback… to probably 2001-ish? The photo is of me and one of my best friends, Angela, on the roof of One Lytle Place (or as Angela calls it, One Little Palace) in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I picked this for this week’s photo, because today is Angela’s birthday.
I met Angela when I was in 6th grade, through another friend. It didn’t take long for us to become best friends once we met, having sleepovers, and bonding over two things: our love of Hanson, and our uncanny ability to eat loads of candy without gaining a single pound.
Over the years — the near 17 years that we’ve been friends — we’ve been through a lot together. We’ve taken many-a-vacation together, visiting Pensacola, Florida several times, seeing Mall of America, visiting the white sands of St. Thomas, and taking road trips to Tennessee.
When I visited her in San Diego, we took our first wine tour of the Temecula Valley, a trip I will never forget. She came with me to Baton Rouge, to stay in my dorm room during my first week at college. And I stayed in her dorm room in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
She’s come to Mardi Gras, and I’ve helped her cook the last six Thanksgiving dinners — one of my all-time favorite traditions (which is followed by opening Christmas gifts and watching Christmas movies).
But our friendship has seen more than just good times. Angela was there for me when I had my first (second, and third) car accident, when my parents got divorced, for every breakup I’ve been through, for the funerals we’ve had to attend. And a few times, we’ve gotten in fights… but thankfully, they never lasted too long, and with forgiving hearts, our friendship endured.
I’ve always believed that physical distance won’t break a true bond, and my friendship with Angela is proof of that. But Angela is more than my friend — she has become my family.
And so, Angela, I want to wish you a very happy birthday — it won’t be the last! I hope your day is as fabulous, and as bright as you are! Cheers to our years of friendship, and many, many more.
Happy Birthday!
The Bitter Lemon 