I have several "best friends." I have been fortunate enough to experience different phases of my life in different places and this has allowed me to gain several groups of friends. This list is by no means all inclusive as I have TONS of people that I depend on and value in my life...I am creating this list in order of them appearing in my life.
MY MOTHER
MICHELLE, KE'ARA, AND KEISHA
What can I say about these three girls? We've been friends since high school and they have always been there for me. We don't talk everyday, nor do we even see each other every year (we are trying to change this) but we always, always pick up right where we left off. We have all gone in different directions but they remain so dear to my heart. We've been through boyfriends, the birth of our kids, marraiges, divorces, remarraiges, career changes, moves across the country, and we still have each other's backs. I have so many memories with these ladies....Without sharing secrets, let me see if I can recall a few....
What can I say about these three girls? We've been friends since high school and they have always been there for me. We don't talk everyday, nor do we even see each other every year (we are trying to change this) but we always, always pick up right where we left off. We have all gone in different directions but they remain so dear to my heart. We've been through boyfriends, the birth of our kids, marraiges, divorces, remarraiges, career changes, moves across the country, and we still have each other's backs. I have so many memories with these ladies....Without sharing secrets, let me see if I can recall a few....
- Ke'ara and I working together at Mrs. Knotts Restaraunt and Bakery.
- Ke'ara and I working at Hot Dog on a Stick.
- Michelle working at Kids Foot Locker, well her parents thought she was working...
- Michelle and Ke'ara getting tickets and removing tint, going to court and getting it put back on all in the same day...thank God it rained that day.
- All four of us "mobbing" up to the mall to "beat someone up." I've never been in a fight before in my life but I thought I was a "G" that night! It never happened...
- Me moving to Atlanta to go to college and them staying up with me all night the night before I left and following me to the airport...I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my life.
- Michelle working at Great Steak and hooking us up everytime we left school for lunch.
- All of us riding around in Michelle's Subaru...man we had some good times in that car.
- Always hanging out at my house...making "Cops" video reenactments, rap videos (Snoop Dogg was HUGE back then).
These 3 girls have ALWAYS had my back. I know that my life is made better because they are in it.
DANIELLE and TAMARA
When I got to college in Atlanta, these are two of the first people that I met. Danielle was from Pamona, CA so we naturally clicked, and Tamara was a Biology major like me...I wanted to be just like her...I don't know how she got so darn smart but I learned a LOT from her work ethic. She always puts 100% to everything that she does. She is a doctor and Danielle is an educator. Again, no matter how much time goes by, we always connect. Tamara has just moved back to Atlanta so I am excited about spending more time with her. In college, if you saw one of us, you saw the other two. We were inseparable.
My most fond memory of these two ladies is when all three of us were RA's (resident assistants) together in college. We thought we would be in the Towers but quickly found out that we were going to SAQ. Anyone familiar with Morris Brown knows that SAQ was like the outcast of the dorms but all the cool people stayed there! Even when it was an all male dorm, the cool dudes stayed there (like my brother!).
- We would go to church together.
- We've been through a tornado together.
- We've taken road trips to Fort Valley together.
- We've been to countless football and basketball games together.
- Danielle and Tamara pledged together.
- We've given blood together.
- Eaten countless meals together.
- My son and I were in Danielle's wedding.
- Most importantly, they were there for the birth of my first son.
I love these ladies and am so proud of the women that they've become.
STACIE
She gets me...We met at Bath and Body Works years ago and to this day, I value and appreciate her. I love her. I love her family. Her parents are amazing. We've been through the birth of our children and her getting married together. I was in her wedding when I was 8 months pregnant with Jacob! She's a therapist and I find myself calling her often to utilize her "services!" She blogs too and I am always amazed by her writing. Her heart is HUGE and she makes no mistakes for it. Her only fault is being a graduate of UGA...GO GATORS! LOL! I am truly honored and know that I am blessed that God ordered us into each other's lives. Again...she...gets....me.....
TYLER
RD! LOL! I've know her for about 13 years and met her when she was my manager at Bath and Body Works. She used to walk around in a jean dress and some black slides that used to drag across the floor! We've been through a LOT together. She is older than I and although I am her little sister's age, I don't look up to her as an older sister...she is definitely my friend. Our sons have grown up together and we've been through countless hours of phone conversations, side hustle jobs, and different experiences together. We don't talk every day either but she's always there if I need her. She is a soccer mom, a single mom, and a hardworking parent. She knows how to have a good time. She makes sure that she enjoys life. I know that if I ever want to go out and have a good time, I need to call her!
TT Crew
Disclaimer...I am going to have to be very cautious about what I say about this group of friends! Point blank, I love them! Talk about some people having your back. Let me rewind. When I was teaching one year, we had an influx of math teachers. I was like, who are they? They were always together. The kicker for me was when they showed up at prom and overtook the dance floor. Yes, I must admit, I was hating! The next school year, we worked more closely together and we got to know each other and out of about 120 teachers at that school, we found each other. Brandon, Katrina, Rodney, Ken and Tanika (she came later) are some of the most phenomenal people I know. People actually call us the "TT crew!" It's hilarious! We've had an area superintendent tell us that he appreciated how closely we worked together and asked how he could be a part of the "TT crew!" Tanika's husband told us he was jealous of the crew! We used to get acknowledged on school announcements. Instead of calling out our names individually, they would just say "TT crew." Our students have been trying to figure out what TT stands for for a long time and always used to tell us that when they graduated they were going to be "let in" to the crew....HILARIOUS!!! We've been acknowledged by the SGA president at graduation in front of thousands of people for being mentors (I posted about him last year-Brandon Stallings). I say all of this, not to brag or boast about what people think or say about us. Rather, to try to express the closeness and bond that we have between all of us. It's real and it's genuine and people recognize that. They are by far some of the best friends that anyone could have. We laugh, and cackle together all of the time, but we also cry together (a lot) and let each other know "the truth" when it's not what we want to hear. Somehow, the truth is more easily swallowed from them than other people. Maybe because we know that there is so much caring and concern coming from behind it. Let me attempt to recall some things we have been through:
Disclaimer...I am going to have to be very cautious about what I say about this group of friends! Point blank, I love them! Talk about some people having your back. Let me rewind. When I was teaching one year, we had an influx of math teachers. I was like, who are they? They were always together. The kicker for me was when they showed up at prom and overtook the dance floor. Yes, I must admit, I was hating! The next school year, we worked more closely together and we got to know each other and out of about 120 teachers at that school, we found each other. Brandon, Katrina, Rodney, Ken and Tanika (she came later) are some of the most phenomenal people I know. People actually call us the "TT crew!" It's hilarious! We've had an area superintendent tell us that he appreciated how closely we worked together and asked how he could be a part of the "TT crew!" Tanika's husband told us he was jealous of the crew! We used to get acknowledged on school announcements. Instead of calling out our names individually, they would just say "TT crew." Our students have been trying to figure out what TT stands for for a long time and always used to tell us that when they graduated they were going to be "let in" to the crew....HILARIOUS!!! We've been acknowledged by the SGA president at graduation in front of thousands of people for being mentors (I posted about him last year-Brandon Stallings). I say all of this, not to brag or boast about what people think or say about us. Rather, to try to express the closeness and bond that we have between all of us. It's real and it's genuine and people recognize that. They are by far some of the best friends that anyone could have. We laugh, and cackle together all of the time, but we also cry together (a lot) and let each other know "the truth" when it's not what we want to hear. Somehow, the truth is more easily swallowed from them than other people. Maybe because we know that there is so much caring and concern coming from behind it. Let me attempt to recall some things we have been through:
- Katrina surviving breast cancer!!!!
- Breast cancer walks.
- Student Government activities (one of us was always the sponsor).
- Endless shopping trips.
- Endless eating outings.
- Prom after prom after prom.
- Impromptu TT meetings.
- The infamous track trip! This has got to be my favorite memory. We told the students that when we got back on Monday to school, that when they heard our names called across the intercom, to know that we would have some explaining to do!
I wouldn't trade these guys in for the world. They always have my back and are amazing. Between the five of us we have the following:
- 5 Bachelors degrees
- 5 Masters degrees
- 3 Specialists degrees (1 more on the way)
- by the end of 2013 we will have 3 Doctoral degrees!!!!!!!
When they say that you should associate yourself with people that are about making moves....they are evident of that. We always push each other to do better....
CASSANDRA
Three words can describe this girl..."funny as heck." We met because she was my coteacher but she quickly became someone that I value and appreciate more than words can describe. She introduced me to the plethora of cupcake shops in the city of Atlanta...I think we've been to every one of them. She's always there. I can pick up the phone and call her at any time. She comes from a phenomenal God fearing family. Her family is the type of family that you'd see on tv (kind of like the Huxtables) and want your family to be just like theirs! Her parents support her and drive MILES to come to the basketball games that she coaches or the SGA activities that Brandon forced her into! We share the same birthday too! She sits back and observes everything. She's the quietest person I know but she will tell it like it is. She will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. She is the epitome of what a "guy's girl" is. She can hang with any group of guys and talk sports better than they do! She and I play fantasy football together and this chick wins! She is in the process of pursuing her life goals and I am so proud of her. I know that she will go on to do great and wonderful things and continue to make an impact on those that are fortunate enough to encounter her presence. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my life is better because she is a part of it. She understands me like other people don't....
Three words can describe this girl..."funny as heck." We met because she was my coteacher but she quickly became someone that I value and appreciate more than words can describe. She introduced me to the plethora of cupcake shops in the city of Atlanta...I think we've been to every one of them. She's always there. I can pick up the phone and call her at any time. She comes from a phenomenal God fearing family. Her family is the type of family that you'd see on tv (kind of like the Huxtables) and want your family to be just like theirs! Her parents support her and drive MILES to come to the basketball games that she coaches or the SGA activities that Brandon forced her into! We share the same birthday too! She sits back and observes everything. She's the quietest person I know but she will tell it like it is. She will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. She is the epitome of what a "guy's girl" is. She can hang with any group of guys and talk sports better than they do! She and I play fantasy football together and this chick wins! She is in the process of pursuing her life goals and I am so proud of her. I know that she will go on to do great and wonderful things and continue to make an impact on those that are fortunate enough to encounter her presence. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my life is better because she is a part of it. She understands me like other people don't....
To sum it up....
I believe that God makes no mistakes. He puts us all in particular situations, with certain people at certain times in our lives because he knows what we need. I am fortunate enough that he has put me in places to meet these wonderful people. My life is better because each of them are in it. The don't all know each other, nor have all of them spent time together but I believe that if they did, they would have a wonderful time together. I have depended on all of these people at different times and have no doubt that they would be there for me if I ever needed them, despite how much time goes by or when the last time I talked to them was. So, with all of that being shared, I publically tell all of you thankyou. Thankyou for loving me. Thankyou for accepting me like I am and not judging me. Thankyou for always being there for me and being a continuous blessing in my life. I love you all.
Okay girl, I am sitting here in tears! I love you so much and I do "get you!" We are a lot alike in so many ways and I value you that beyond measure. So thankful God saw fit for us to be life long friends!!
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