We made it.

At the beginning of my senior year, I was flooded with fears. Mostly the fear of my best friend being away at college the whole year. I was scared that it wouldn't work. I was scared he would find someone he deserved. I was scared I would have an emotional break down and not be able to take it. I was scared we were going to grow apart and lost everything we had. Praise Jesus because I was SO WRONG. It was not easy though. For the first couple months, I found my self crying many nights. It was so hard. I wanted my best friend home every single day. Before he left, everyone was telling us that distance makes the heart grown fonder, and now I know that is completely true. While Nick was 800 miles away, I got to know new parts of him. I learned how to love him in new ways and he did the same with me. The letters he wrote me were so genuine and really did make me fall for him even more. We learned how to communicate even when we're not face to face. We learned the importance of friends, other friends. We learned how much of a gift it is to have new friendships outside of each other. Even when many miles stretched between us, he wanted to know every detail of my day. He laughed at every story and bad joke. He asked questions about specific things that happened each day. He still prayed with me and for me. He encouraged me with his wise thoughts and gentle words.  Together, we made it through one of the hardest years of my life. He comforted me, from miles away, when I was being beaten down by unbearable emotional pain. He loved me well even when he couldn't hug me or hold my hand. My heart grew even fonder of Nick this past year. I love him even more than I did at the beginning of this school year. I did not think that was even possible.   Last August, May seemed so far away and I never thought we were actually going to make it to summer. We did. Nick is home for the summer. For the next three months, we have plans of floating rivers, hiking, visiting Yellowstone, flying kites, and eating at new restaurants.  Only by the grace of God, did we make it through a hard year. Praise God, because...

WE MADE IT. 

Jessie Rose, 24

Today, my hero is turning 24. Let me tell you why I love her.

1. She is just like me. That sounds egotistical, but really. Since we are so much a like, she is able to give me the best kind of advice because she was also a PK teenager who loved Jesus. She knows exactly what I am feeling most of the time. She was so active in my life while she lived here. She came to take pictures with me at prom twice! She would come to my house all the time for meals and would just hang out with me a lot too!

2. She is a super mom. If you know anything about her crazy little girl, you will immediately understand why she is a super mom. Don't get me wrong, Luci is a blessing ( and super good lookin') but she is also extremely blessed to have Jessie as a Mom.

3. She rocks at shopping. Together, we would go thrifting. She understands the beauty is cheap, used, clothing. Sometimes it was a bit of an issue going together though because we like the same type of clothes. It was basically a contest to see who was the stronger and faster thrifter. ;)

4. She is so supportive. Right after Nick and I started dating, many people were questioning us and not thrilled with the idea of high school dating. Jessie told me right away that she believed in us and that her and Jonathan supported us completely.

5. She is super good with words. She would regularly tell me "I believe in you." That is the kind of encouragement I always needed. It is so simple, but extremely powerful. I love her words because by the grace of God, she always knows what to say.

6. She is a prayer warrior. Her prayers are truly amazing. So real and so powerful. She is a prayer warrior and I don't know how else to explain that.

7. She buys me froyo and coffee. Nuff Said.

8. She is a hoot. Her laugh is my favorite. I stinkin love it when she cracks a joke and then laughs at herself. She somehow pulls of laughing at her own jokes. Also, she rocks at telling stories because the funniest things happen to her and she meets the strangest people.

9. She is SUPER artsy. When we make cards together, you can always count on her coming up with the best one. Her creativity is always flowing. It is super different from most peoples creativity, but that is what makes it so unique. Her art is my personal favorite. You may think I'm joking, I am not. I love every card she has ever made me and every piece of wood she has burned for me.

10. She is so spirit led. If you spend one day with her, you will know that Jessie is over flowing with the love of Christ. Her gift of interacting with people is so beautiful. She has shown me a deeper level of being with people. She cares so much for all people and it is totally because of her faith in Christ Jesus. She prays over people a lot (like I said earlier) and the Lord speaks to her in such cool ways. God uses her regularly to speak to people and he has definitely done so with her for me.

I could seriously go on and on but probably shouldn't.
 Jessie Rose, I am so glad you were birthed. Thank you for playing such a huge role in my life. You da bomb dig. Happy Birthday! I love you so much.