Leesie

I have never had many girl friends until the last few years.  I now have 5 women, who aren't in my family, that I know I can call anytime for anything and I wouldn't trade them for the world.  This is the first.

How we met: I have 2 older brothers.  The older of which took me under his wing in college and introduced me to OIL (similar to mock congress) by bringing me to his campaign party in late winter of 2001.  There I met Brian who became an amazing friend to me.  His roommate's name was Andy who always seemed to have his outspoken little sister with him...Alysse.  We didn't really click for quite some time, but I got to know Andy well enough to know what a wonderful, big-hearted guy he was.

Our story: Alysse and I started hanging out spring of 2004 and by July we had a weekend trip planned to St. Louis to go to six flags and the zoo.  Zoos have really become our 'thing'.  Can't you just see us?  Two grown women walking around with no kids at a zoo and having a blast!  Her brother, I later found out, was hugely against our trip because he thought I was a bad influence on her.  (He apologized for that a few years later.)

She was one of two phone calls I made from England when Graham and I got engaged.  She helped me plan my wedding and was my maid of honour.  She was so excited that we, meaning Graham, myself, and her, were getting married.  We drove 17 hours over night to visit my sister just because we could and let me tell you, there aren't many people I could do that with.  (visited the zoo) She's been on family vacations with us to Colorado (visited the zoo), Oklahoma City (visited the zoo), and San Antonio (visited sea world...the water zoo).

She was one of the first phone calls I made when I found out I was pregnant each time.  She was also one of the first to know when one of those pregnancies had ended much too soon.  She is an aunt to my kids who love her unconditionally.

We have seen each other through my infertility, her and my faith struggles, the tough, scary pregnancies and deliveries of my, or as she would say "our", kids, the death of my uncle, my grandmother, and her brother, the joy of romance, the sorrow of heartbreak, the excitement of travels, and the mundane of daily life.  I know I can call her to talk about my troubles or to talk about nothing at all.  We have partied together, watched tv together, and read books together.  We have discussed religion, for which don't completely agree, politics, for which we never agree, and nothing at all.  We cry on each other's shoulders and laugh at each other's random stupidity.  She may not be a sister by blood, but that doesn't matter.

I don't know what my life would be like without her, but I know it would be as fun.  She is, plain and simple, my very best friend.  I love you Leesie!