You need a friend like this -

Birthday posts are hard to write. Why? Because there is so, so, so much to say. And you feel like if you don't get it all down, you might explode. Or if you don't get it out correctly, it doesn't sound like a birthday post. But I'm such a huge fan of just writing, so that's what this will be. A lot of words that would never fit in a birthday card (even one of mine, haha!). 

There is a friend that I can call in the middle of the night, if I need to. 

There is a friend I call about anything, everything, nothing....and know she will always pick up with love.

There is a friend who will hold you in her kitchen after it hits you like a train of sadness that her son is the same age as Avery was
and will stand in the kitchen for 20 minutes and rock you while you weep into her shoulder. 

There is a friend who doesn't try to make it better, when she knows there are no words. 

There is a friend that will laugh hysterically with you about nothing at the drop of a hat. 

There is a friend you get excited about telling news to, because you know she'll love to rejoice with you.

There is a friend who you can stay up late into the wee hours of the morning,
skyping and trying not to wake your whole household because you are laughing so hard about something so true. 

There is a friend who takes you just the way you are, and loves you that way. 

There is a friend that means so much that your hearts seem connected. 

There is a friend that will take all your sorrows in and will pray for you. 

There is a friend that will write an e-mail out of nowhere, just to let you know you are loved. 

There is a friend you call when you see a bad accident on the highway, and need someone to calm you down. 

There is a friend who will sit in silence and hold your hand for a little while, just to be. 

Everyone needs a friend like this. Like Tricia. 

And darn it, if I'm not crying already. I have lots of friends, but there are not many people like Tricia. 

I've rarely felt so much compassion and care from anyone in my life. Tricia is not comfortable with the seen, she is driven by the unseen that rarely wants to be touched by the rest of the world. By the second or third "Really, Jean...how are you?", I'm either spilling my heart or my tears. She has such a heart for knowing someone deeply. She almost skips the mundane, the new. She wants to know how she can minister to you, in 5 minutes you are known, loved, cared-for, asked about, wanted. It is something I try to be every day, and yet she does it every time I see her or have a conversation.

She, as I wrote here, ... puts out the fires in my soul. And it isn't always big things. Yet she is such an incredible listener and encourager that you come away thinking it was a big thing, just because of how she responded in love. She reminds me constantly that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" and to say that we talk about Heaven a lot would be a vast understatement. She has such a Heavenward view on life here that has comforted me time and again. Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else and remind you it's true. 

She is honestly one of the most empathetic, amazing, caring, loving, genuine, true, brave, compassionate and deep people I've ever known. I'm so thankful God has given me friendship with her. I am so incredibly blessed by her friendship, and I love her so much that I cried this morning, just thinking about how dear she is. 

We all need someone to speak Truth into our lives, especially when it aches, and Tricia does that to me.

This verse makes complete and utter sense when applied to her: 

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." ~ Philippians 1:3-5

Taken a few weeks ago, trying really really hard to hold in the hysterical laughter. 

So Happy 21st Birthday today to one of the dearest friends I've ever known. 

I love you so very much, Tricia. I thank God upon every remembrance of you. 

Thank you for all the hugs, tears, laughter, joy, dancing in the kitchen, hysterical jokes, grace, love, and sweetness you give.

Thank you for sharing life with me, it is so much better with you in it.

With love always, 

~ Jean Marie ~