9.30.2012

lydia, this one's for you...



 (Belhaven circa 2003)


You know that feeling when you meet certain people and you just know they are going to be in your life forever?—and there’s never a moment of doubt that they will love you no matter what?

(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













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