Now I couldn't possibly pick my best friend! However, I would like to highlight some of the amazing people that have gotten me through the various stages of my life.
Ashley Kiley and I have known each other since 2nd grade when we were in the same girl scout troop but then I moved schools and we didn't really see each other much until middle school. Even though we went to different schools we saw each other at JAM (the Junior High group at Church) and through Strikers (our club team). We became really close in High School though through the joys of cross-country, having tons of classes together (the highlight had to be AP Physics senior year), and spending tons of time together. I will never forget the Sno-Fest weekends in Colorado, the nights in the sorority house, and the amazing Ireland trip. Ashley has stuck by me through some pretty tough times and I am so blessed to have her friendship.
I had some amazing people help me every step of the way through the Academy. These are in order of when we met, not in order of my affections! :)
Kristen Wolverton and I met the night before Basic Training and were basically friends ever since! We went through Jacks together (highlight of course being the virtual strip search we had to endure with everyone watching), 4 seasons of AF soccer, 4 years of ups and downs and goods and bads. She's been stationed in England for the last two years so I've been able to see her quite a lot which has been great. What would I do without her? I have no idea!
Kim and I met at the dinner before Basic Training for all the incoming soccer girls. However we didn't really become close until sophomore year. Biannual members of the Janssen Dinner crew, we often had lots of classes together. The summer after sophomore year we worked Command Center together and Kim is responsible for making me like Chick-fil-A (oh how I miss it). Kristen and I were devastated when Kim left for France for a semester but we made up for lost time when she got back. I love Kimothy to death and love getting to see her when I go home because she is studying in Santa Monica.
Anthony Ferrara and I met during Basic Training. I will always remember running through the obstacle course with him and having him literally throw me over the wall. We dated 4 degree year but I think our relationship got even stronger after we stopped dating. Anthony is someone I can go to with any problem and he always has some encouraging words and prayers. He's probably seen me cry more than just about anyone outside my family, which if you know me, is saying something because I'm really not a crier!
Ian Helms and Neal Wendt are like the two brothers I've never had. Neal is the big brother who teases you and gives you a hard time but would do absolutely anything for you. Ian is the bigger brother that the younger sister tries to be like. I mean, we had the same major, won the same scholarship, are going to the same pilot training base. I'm pretty much Ian in female form! Anyways, these guys were so amazing during my first year in Oxford helping me so much and just being absolutely amazing friends.
Kim Kilmartin and I started becoming close at the end of my first year in Oxford. Now I've even been given an honorary place in her relationship with Simon! Kim is a great person to bounce ideas off of, and a great person to vent frustrations to. Its been great having another American around to back me up as well when I say something that totally makes sense in the states but means nothing over here!
I barely knew Soupy (Sarah Campbell) when I invited her to live with me for what we thought was going to be a few weeks. That turned into a few months and an amazing friendship. Soupy has made it her job to get me out of my comfort zone and, in many ways, she is succeeding. I love Soupy's honesty and candor which makes the compliments that she is constantly giving out that much more meaningful. She was an awesome roommate in Morocco and I'm so glad we've become so close this year.
Last, but certainly not least, Bonnie van Wilgenburg and I met through a football tournament in Groningen and then after the Newquay football event Bonnie started tagging along with me to the gym. Oh my gosh, if we had only known what kind of monster we were about to create!! Now people associate the two of us together so much that we have gained a nickname (Bronie) and I can't go anywhere without being asked where she is and vice versa! Bonnie and I talk about absolutely everything, from religion to politics to sports to "satellites" and its been so amazing to have grown this close to her in such a short time.
I have been so incredibly blessed by so many people in my life and, even if I didn't write about you here, I love you all and am so thankful that you're in my life!! xx
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