Pen Pals

Have you ever met someone and felt like they belonged in your life ages ago? I met several people in 2014 who gave me that feeling, and dear dear Rachel O was one of them. This darling girl just makes my heart happy.

She feels how the month of May looks. 

We met at Sports Camps and i immediately loved her. we became pals, and then she took a week off and i was sad. but she came back, and we had hours and hours of uplifting and connecting conversations. under pine trees behind the IPF, at lunch tables, at check ins, and late into the night in her room when we counseled on the same floor the last week of camp.

It seems like we talked about millions of things. Maybe not, but we did completely open up to each other and our conversations were the kinds that just plain knit people together. 

On the last day of Sports Camps, i packed up my things and started walking home to Cinnamon Tree, trying not to cry. Rachel pulled up in her truck and offered me a ride. i could have kissed her feet, i swear.
On the ride home, somehow we established that we would be pen pals and a states-apart book club. haha.

I think i will be grateful for that spontaneous car ride for the rest of my life, because in it i have gained a true forever friend. her letters fill me up and carry me. I hold her opinions and advice not only in the highest esteem, but dually in my heart. 

This past weekend she came to visit two of her siblings in Rexburg, and made time to see me. I WAS SO HAPPY. Sinceriously, talking to her felt like the most natural thing in the whole world. I just felt incredibly lucky to have a friend who genuinely cares so much about me and in whom i have so much confidence. One day when i see her again, i'll remember to take a decent picture together. We're both pretty stinking good looking if i do say so myself. 

until then, here is this mediocre photo:

Rachel is impressive and kind and has a magnetic personality. I adore her, and appreciate her friendship more than i can say. Her visit was the perfect ending to February, and one of the freshest breaths of air I've ever felt. We were only together for a few hours, but i felt recharged. She gets me. I love that. I value her. 

Thank you for visiting, Rachel. You're such a good human! Thank you for seeing the worth in me!