(Belhaven
circa 2003)
(If
you don’t then just imagine that you do)
That’s
how I feel about my Lydia Grey Gamble.
I could
and should write a book about our adventures through life together…
I met
Lydia when I was 19 years old—she was 17. We met at a coffee shop in Franklin,
TN where I was visiting my other dear friend, Liz. We had a brief encounter and
discussed our current love of L’Abri—a place I had just gotten back from and
the place she was headed to.
Fast
forward a year.
I remember
I had just turned 21 and was a student at Belhaven….i was outside of a building
when I heard my name…I looked up and saw none other than Lydia walking up to
me. I was very happy to learn that she had just moved to Jackson and was also a
student at Belhaven.
I won’t
go into every detail of the past 11 years of our friendship but I will tell you
this…
Lydia
and I have experienced and are continuing to experience life together—the good
parts of life and the not-so-good parts.
(Louisville,
KY 2005)
Lydia
has experienced every major milestone in my life. She was there when I fell “in
love” and found my first “real” boyfriend; she was there for most of my
birthday parties; she was the one I called whenever something good happened—and
especially when something bad happened. She was there for me when my heart was
broken—she endured the entire length of my drinking career—and somehow came out
with even more love for me.
One
of my favorite memories is smoking hash together at Laurel Street Park.
Remember that?!
And
I’ve been there for most of her major milestones. I was with her in Nashville
for her 21st birthday (and oh what a birthday party that was…); I threw
her 22nd birthday party at my house on Hazel street in Jackson; I was
there the day she found out her parents were getting divorced and I was also
the first one she called when she met her first “real” boyfriend in New York.
Lydia’s
27th birthday (last year)
Since
Lydia has been the jetsetter, I’ve had the privilege of visiting her during her
many moves. The visit that most sticks out in my mind was the trip to New York.
There are several funny stories I could insert here but I’ll have to come back
later and fill you in…
(New
York 2008)
I
never dreamed when I moved back to Jackson that she would also end up moving
here a little over a year later.
Words
will never be able to adequately describe how I feel about Lydia.
She
is much more than just a friend—she’s more like a sister that you always want
by your side.
She
and I are peas in a pod. You definitely don’t ever get one of us without the
other.
And
did I mention she’s the most talented person I know?! Good grief—I could write
a whole book on Lydia The Artist (kind of like Prince except not).
She
and I are really more like a small gang—so watch out, men;)
Lydia,
I am so happy that you are in my life. I’m so happy that God saw fit to place
us in each other’s lives all those years ago. I have loved living the past
decade with you and I can’t wait to see where this next decade leads us. I may
not be sure of much but I am sure that you will be by my side no matter what
happens. And vice versa.
Here’s to you on your 28th birthday. I’m so
so glad you were born.
I
love you very much.
2010
2011
2012
