An Ode To Jenny J

Happy Birthday Jenny! I may not have my act together enough to have made a gift, or even sent a card (bad me!), but I am thinking of Jenny today. My beloved friend Jenny is turning __ __ today. Some of you reading this blog don't know Jenny--your loss! How can I describe this woman? Perhaps this short list will help you understand what she means to me and how completely crappy it is that she now lives 6 hours away:

• She is so pretty that the first time I met her I was determined NOT to be her friend. Who wants to be compared to someone with flawless skin, perfectly straight and white teeth (think Julia Roberts), long, thick, shiny hair and legs that go on for miles? Did I mention that she also plays sports? Every guy's dream. Lucky Nathan!
  
• She gives back rubs. I'm not talking 5 minutes and then "my hands are too tired" back rubs like my well-intentioned husband's. I'm talking 30-60 minutes of bliss. I can't tell you how many times I'd had a stress-filled week at work, convinced I couldn't make it another day, and that back rub would save my life. After every back rub I would say with conviction, "That is the best thing that has ever happened to me." Chad would take offense, but he got use to it and it was true.
  
• She really, really knows how to be a friend. I've cried on Jenny's shoulder more times than I can count. She has listened, listened, and then listened some more. She was the first call I made every day on my way home from work. That 1 hour commute would fly by as we chatted (yes, I was one of THOSE people on the phone during rush hour). And there is more. She has shopped with me, talked me into buying great clothes when I resisted, painted my bedroom, cleaned my closets, organized my basement (twice!), organized my kitchen cabinets, painted my toenails, collected and delivered notes from friends EVERY DAY during the month of my 30th birthday (I still can't get over that one), run with me, cooked for me, grocery shopped for me, survived pregnancy with me....you get the picture.

Jenny, I hope this is a special day for you. You are a dedicated and loving mother, the kind of wife I aspire to be, and my best friend. Our phone calls may be less frequent, and I see you much, much less than I'd like to, but you are still my lifesaver. I'm glad you were born.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!