Today is my friend Dena’s birthday.  I say friend, but she is more than a friend, she is family to me.  I met Dena almost ten years ago, when I accepted a position at a construction company here, where she happed to also work.  By the third day there, we were friends.  It happened THAT quick.  One of us cracked a joke, and we both knew immediately that we could get along and had the same sense of humor.  We went to lunch every single day together, we hung out on weekends, our husbands got along great and were eerily similar in their love of golf, music, wrestling (no that’s not a joke), etc.  We got married within months of each other.  We also got pregnant within months of each other. 

We rarely agree on anything.  We have had our share of fights but they never last long (like not even twenty minutes).  We have been through a lot together and more than anything else… at the end of the day, we both know that if either one of us needed the other, everything would be dropped and we would be there - no questions asked.  Our kids fight like they are siblings - because they almost are.  She treats me and my kids like we are family and I do the same with her and her kids.  She is brutally honest, direct, stubborn as hell, passionate, unbending, opinionated, argumentative, and at times frustrating as hell… but these are all the things that I love about her, plus she makes a mean chili cheese dog, especially on your birthday.

I have such an enormous number of memories with Dena.  If you have been reading this blog for the last five years, you probably already know that, as she is included in almost every story that I tell.  More so than memories are the traditions we have created for us and our kids.  My lord do we have some traditions - the End of the Summer parties, Half Birthdays, Elf Droppings, Camping Trips, summers at the pool, Friday nights - the list is endless and I treasure that with her.  She is an amazing person to know and and even more amazing friend to have in your life.  I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring for us and our kids - I am sure it will be quite a ride… a fun, fun ride!!!

Happy Birthday Dena - We love you!!! :party: