To my Valentines

Friendship Quotes

Aaron and I don't celebrate Valentines Day. Not because we have some strong moral aversion to the "made- up" holiday. We really don't. Plus, I like pink, and hearts, and chocolate.  Our anniversary is 3 days later and we just decided to skip Valentines Day and celebrate our love for each other on that day (the 17th). Plus we get all the candy on sale. So, he will get his own mushy blog post in a few days but for today I have some other loves on my mind.

For the last two weeks I have been thinking about all the women in my life. All of my girlfriends. When I start thinking about them I can't help feeling a vary strong sense of gratitude. So strong it brings me to tears sometimes. I consider my girlfriends one of the greatest blessing of my life. I come from a vary small (close knit) family and so I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many amazing friends that feel like family to me.

I often wonder how it is possible for me to be associated with sooo many beautiful, talented, spiritual, upstanding, determined, loving, selfless, kind (I could go on and on) women. Some people only find one friend like that throughout their entire life's and I have several. I am so blessed.

These women are such an example to me and I learn so much from them. They may not even know what an impact they have on me. I do a lot of observing. It's how I learn. And I have learned so much from watching these women. I have learned how to endure trials with a smile and positive outlook, I have learned patience, I have learned the importance of flip-flops in a wardrobe of heals, I have learned how to flirt, I have learned how to go for my dreams, I have learned service, I have learned that commuting 3hrs a day can be fun w/ Tony, I have learned the importance of being silly, I have learned that "it" is possible (what ever "it" might be), I have learned that working out can be fun, I have learned how to endure trials relying on faith, I have learned how to be a good mother, In have learned how to persevere, I have learned that you can roll out of bed and before you even open your eyes be on your knees in prayer. The list is endless.

Though I have been blessed with these amazing friends I have not been blessed to have them live close to me for vary long. Looking back I realize that really I have lived in close proximity to these women for a vary short amount of time. Some only a few months! Now they live all across the country. Only a few within a few minutes drive. I often wish that I could just pick each one of them up and move them to one town where we can all be neighbors. *Sigh*

There was a time when I didn't really have close friends nearby. It was shortly after I was married and we moved to a ward with vary few people our age (and stage in life). It was hard. I remember crying and crying wondering why we were there. But looking back on that time now I can see that from it I have come to appreciate my friendships even more. Now when I have wonderful friends that I get to see often I just cherish it because I know it is rare and probably won't last long. It makes the time even more special. It makes me want to reach out and spend as much time with them as possible and have as much fun as possible. To serve them while they are only a short drive away because I know there will be a time when they will need me and I won't be able to run to their sides. 

I think sometimes it is easy to start thinking that you don't really need friends. When you have a young growing family and a busy life it is easier just to stay in or not make a phone call. I feel like that often honestly. But I really can't imagine my life without the friendships that I have. And a lot of those friendships came from me putting my self out there and making an effort. From doing that I have made friendships with women that I might not have thought we could be friends. And learned so much from them. Plus, you never know when someone actually will need you as a friend.

So, moral of this really long wordy post is that I love you. I love all of my Valentines. I'm not going to make a list and name every single one of you but I hope you know in your heart that I am talking about you and that I cherish your friendship more than you know. I just hope that I can be as good of a friend to you as you are to me.  You Be Dazzle my life :-)

Even though we may not see each other often or even talk on the phone often (or even if we do) I know that as soon as we get together we won't skip a beat. It's the best feeling :-)

(and what would Valentines Day be without a cheesy poem...)

When we first talked to each other
I knew we would always be friends.
Our friendship has kept on growing
And I'll be here for you to the end.

You listen when I have a problem
And help dry the tears from my face.
You take away my sorrow
And put happiness in its place.

We can't forget the fun we've had
Laughing 'til our faces turn blue.
Talking of things only we find funny
People think we're insane-If they only knew!

I guess this is my way of saying thanks
For catching me when I fall.
Thanks once again for being such a good friend
And being here with me through it all.

- Rachel Ellis

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!