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

Day #361 - Erin F.

Erin was a high school friend and a basketball teammate. She was tall and blonde – smart and fun at the same time. I remember our similarity was that we both had REALLY long legs that our couch would yell at us constantly to JUST USE! Erin and her older sister were really important parts of the team, and I remember pre-game dinners at their house and them leading cheers on the bus on the way to games.

I haven’t seen Erin in year (I think the last time we saw her, Ken and I randomly ran into her in a restaurant up in Wilmington). I’m sure she’s just as blonde and smart as ever! (Erin is on the far right of this photo).

Day #357 - Brooke J.

Brooke was one of my friends in the 3rd, 4th, 5th grade range. (And maybe even in to middle school). She’s someone I haven’t been able to find on Facebook, and I’m not sure she would even remember me. I do remember many days and weekends spent at Brooke’s house but the one thing I really remember was that her brother had epilepsy. Isn’t that random? He was older and I remember that he drove an old convertible, but had his license taken away when he had a seizure.

Odd what’s stayed stored in this brain of mine!

Day #356 - Claire R.

Claire was a fellow Navy spouse when we lived in Oklahoma. She and her family now live not that far south of us in Maryland.

I always liked spending time with Claire in Oklahoma. When we were there, she didn’t have kids either, and the two of us were pretty active in the “Wives Club” and worked on a lot of fundraisers and other events together. Some wives weren’t as nice, but it was always fun to spend those times with Claire.

Day #352 - Thu N.

Thu (pronounced two) was one of my sorority sisters at Lehigh. She was wild and crazy and smart. Always fun to be around. She was one of those friends that I lost touch with after graduating, but it’s been fun catching up with her lately on Facebook and it looks like she’s still crazy (and smart).

Day #350 - Ted

I have no idea who Ted is that sent me these flowers. I think maybe he had a crush on me. I had a bad day in high school – I probably got a bad grade, and I think I had a fight with my basketball coach. All I know is that a bunch of flowers showed up the next day with this note attached. I’ve saved the note. I don’t know why – maybe it’s the sentiment – or the idea that on a really bad day, someone cared.

Day #348 - Hillel K.

Hillel was one of the assistant deans at the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma when I worked there. He was older than me, older than my parents, but somehow he took a liking to this new girl. And it was my gain. He was a pleasure to work with – listening to my insight, offering his perspective when he thought it would add something to the project.

There are two things I remember most about Hillel. The first was that he worked out a lot, and so did I. We always saw each other at the gym, and he always came over to chit chat and talk to me about staying in shape. The second thing I remember was that when he heard I had never had “chicken fried steak” he was appalled. So one lunch, he took me out to the most Oklahoma-ish ma and pop diner. He ordered himself a chicken fried steak and I think I got a Caesar salad. Just like my mom or dad used to, he cut off a piece of his steak and put it on my plate. I have to say, it was good, but I don’t think I’ve eaten it since!

I often wonder where life has taken Hillel and hope that he is well.

Day #342 - Dan V.

Dan was a good guy friend all throughout college. We always had fun with Dan and his buddies and he always looked out for us (I felt). He had a fun off campus house that was always a good place for a party. It’s where we had the fortune of hanging out with Guster one night!

Day #341 - Lauren

I can’t remember Lauren’s last name. Maybe my friend Cameron can help. Lauren was our friend Billy’s cousin and we spent a lot of time with her the summer between our junior and senior year in high school (I think?)

Lauren worked for the Wilmington Blue Rocks and we spent A LOT of that summer at the stadium and at Blue Rocks games. And Lauren always hooked us up. We were constantly winning the fan contests that summer and one game I was the “sweetheart of the game” where I was escorted by a player out on to the field and given a box of chocolates and some roses. Ha!

Day #337 - Julie N.

Julie was a coworker of mine at the Naval Academy. She worked in IT. I have always maintained that it’s good to have a friend in your company’s IT office. I loved to hear Julie’s IT stories (people who complained about their computer not working when it wasn’t actually turned on, etc.)

I also admired Julie because in her heart of hearts she knew that IT wasn’t what she wanted to do and decided to go to nursing school. I recently caught up with her and that’s exactly what she did. Good for her.

Day #330 - Kristin C.

Kristin was a skating buddy of mine from back in the day. She was a fun girl and a bit crazy. Always fun to be around. We lost touch over the years and I’m sorry to say that her father (who I always remember as a very happy man) passed away during those years. Kristin and I have since reconnected on Facebook (of course), and it looks like life is treating her well. She is newly-married (was a beautiful bride) and seems very happy. (Kristin is on the left of this picture).