365 Days to 30/365 People Who Were Along for the Ride

Day #10 - Cameron

Skating was my life for a good, oh eight years. And my friends from skating were more like siblings. Hours and hours were spent at the rink, competitions, on the road.

One of those friends was Cameron. As we "grew up," she was also my partner in crime, flirting with boys, "cruising the pike," you name it she was game. It was Cameron who left my phone number on my first love's car. (But that's a story for another post). Many a weekend nights were spent at Cameron's house, in her pool, sprawling on the big couch watching movies. It's those nights and those memories I'll keep more than anything I remember from the rink.

I should also mention that Cameron and I were a bit, um, opposite, in height. Please note in the picture how she is wearing skates, I am not, and she just barely reaches my shoulder. An odd couple, alright.

Cameron now lives in California, and I haven't seen her in a few years. But I know if I did, we would pick up like no time had passed at all.

Day #9 - Brenda Foster

My first big girl job way back in the year 2001 was as Director of Communications for the University of Oklahoma College of Engineering. I was young and way into professional development. Attending a conference in Denver, I met a lady named Brenda Foster from an advertising/marketing firm in Baltimore.

I knew that Ken and I were talking about getting stationed back east, so Brenda and I kept in touch after the conference. On one of my trips back east we even met up for lunch in Baltimore. A few months later, Brenda e-mailed me about a job opening with the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. Enter the next three years of my life.

Brenda and I lost touch after Ken and I moved back. I changed jobs, we moved houses. Then last year, on election day morning, Ken and I left the house to go vote (the benefit of living in the city - we walk to our polling place). I saw a lady walk by our house. "I know that woman," I said to Ken. It was Brenda. She lives on our street. Next door to Carron and Ben.

Small world? I'd say.

Day #8 - Maria Grace

It's appropriate that Grace's name came up today...In just a few days she'll be 11+ months ahead of me in turning 30.

I first noticed Grace on 2peas. I remember just pouring over her layouts, her photography, just hoping some of her talent would rub off through some form of osmosis. This was one of my early favorites of hers. To this day, I still pour over Grace's layouts, never really knowing just how she does it.

Since those days back on 2peas, Grace has become a *real* friend. She is small in stature, but big on personality and love. She is sensitive and cares about the world, and the people that fill it. And the world is lucky to have her.

Day #7 - Cousin Justin

I remember the day I found out Justin's mom was pregnant with him. Now the boy's a junior in high school, and quite the sports star. He is my friend on facebook (where I stole this picture from - he's the one in the air), which I'm sure scares him more than it scares me. He goes to Sallies, the all boys Catholic school I stalked as a high schooler (so I know the kind of girls you're dealing with, cousin). And a few months after my thirtieth birthday, he'll go to college. And I'll officially be old.

Day # 6 - Bob at the Beach

Bob was one of my first bosses. He owns Fish Tales, and just about half of the "main strip" in Bethany Beach, Delaware. I would like to tell you that he taught me the values of hard work and perserverance, but the most important thing Bob ever did for me was introduce me to my best friend.

Mercer and I met at Fish Tales. It was love at first "show me how to fold this t-shirt." Bob quickly recognized our cosmic connection and stopped scheduling Mercer and I together. Romeo and Juliet of Fish Tales that we were, we would not let the opposite scheduling tear our friendship apart. I would mess up a rack of clothing for Mercer just before her shift (fighting boredom was an uphill battle). Mercer would leave me notes to find in the pockets of men's shirts.

...And this summer we (Mercer and I) will celebrate our eleven-year anniversary. I think we should buy Bob a drink. We've come a long way.

Day #5 - Cousin Dorothy

Don't you love the name Dorothy? I do. My cousin Dorothy is just a few years younger than me and was always my favorite cousin to hang out with at Willard Family (my mom's family) reunions. Dorothy's grandmother and grandfather (my great aunt and great uncle) Sally and Jack had a house with a big back yard that we used to play all kinds of games on. In the picture, we were playing a three-legged race. That's me in the flower dress tied to my uncle David, who is more or less carrying me. Dorothy is on the far right rounding the corner with my other cousin. I think she won!

Dorothy is not just a cool name, but she's become quite a cool person. She finished culinary school and last I heard was working on making the most exquisite desserts known to man. She's come a long way since this three-legged race. :)

Day #4 - Tricia

Tricia was my coworker in Oklahoma who quickly became a friend. She was one of those people who was always there for you with whatever you needed (a hug, a snack, hairspray, etc.).  I loved Oklahoma, and a big part of it was because several of my coworkers became like an extended family to me, with my family so far away and Ken deploying all the time. Tricia was a big reason for that. She was, quite simply, just a good person. And boy, could this woman cook. I miss her.

Day #3 - Matt

Matt is Ken's "little" brother. He was turning 12 when I first met him, he'll turn 21 next month. At his 12th birthday party, I impressed him by winning the bubble-blowing contest. He's a good kid, a nice kid. Most of the time. Matt also enjoys posing for the camera. For any camera, really. Also, very important, Matt introduced Ken and I to guitar hero. And our lives haven't been the same since. :)

Day #2 - Rosie Kleaver

Rosie Kleaver was my kindergarten teacher. She is one of the handful of teachers whose names I actually remember, which I'm thinking means something.

(I'm the slightly spaced-out looking one on the bottom right with my pink skirt stretched over my knees.)

Day #1 - Pop Pop

I will being picking a random person every day, using a random number generator. But today, on my first day, I wanted to start with this guy. My Pop Pop. Besides my parents, he has been the most influential person in my life. He lived a long and full life. But he still went too soon. 150 years-old would have been too soon. I wish he could be here to celebrate my birthday.

I remember his trips to Pennsylvania with his trunks full of apples. I remember his sheep dogs. I remember the letters (actual real letters, not e-mails) he would write me when I was in college. He was never afraid to tell me he was proud of me, which always made me so happy. Praise from Pop Pop was the best kind of praise.

"He had the gift of stopping time & listening well so that it was easy to hear who we could become & that was the future he held safe for each of us in his great heart. you may ask, what now? & I hope you understand when we speak softly among ourselves & do not answer just yet for our future is no longer the same without him."