Memories...

Rosie and I met doing Work Crew at a Young Life camp in Ramona, CA, OAKBRIDGE. I had just finished my Sophomore year of High School and Rosie and just finished her Junior year of High school.

To this day, 9 years later, Rosie is one of my best friends. We have a lot of memories together. These are just a few that ALWAYS make me laugh.

1. Rosie didn't like me while we were on Work Crew together. She thought I was loud and obnoxious (I kind of am) and thought that I was always too busy socializing and never did my job. One day, after spending hours in the dining hall preparing, serving, cleaning, and setting-up, Rosie decided to take a nap under the Buffet line. She crawled under when no one was looking and set-up camp. Well shoot, when I found out about that, I wanted to do the same thing. Needless to say, I am not as incognito as Rosie, so we both got busted. She now had reason to not like me. She really didn't like me.

2. The next summer, Rosie got over it and actually came down to San Diego on a road-trip with her brother. They stayed with us in our tiny little Point Loma Apartment. Rosie and Jeff love soccer, and were so excited about the World Cup that was taking place during their visit. I couldn't have cared less. Rosie set the alarm for 3am so we could wake up and watch the game. I woke up and immediately went back to sleep on the couch, only to wake up a couple of hours later on the couch face to face with her hot older brother. I was mortified. Not sure why, I just was. I was so pissed that Rosie didn't wake me up when she went back to bed.

2.5 While we were driving through Point Loma, Rosie sees a Kermit the Frog on the side of the road. She makes her brother pull over and ask the people if they are giving it away. They are confused by the question, thinking that Rosie is asking for the car, when she just wanted the Kermit. They gave her the Kermit. She buckled him in and we drove off... with Kermit sitting shot-gun.

3. After I applied and got accepted to Seattle Pacific University, I scheduled a trip to stay with Rosie and the rest of the Maxin family and to visit SPU. The first night there, I couldn't fall asleep because I thought that their neighbor was playing the drums. Nope, it was just rain hitting the metal box outside of Rosie's window. It goes without saying that this San Diego girl isn't used to the sound of rain.

4. The next summer, Rosie was in San Diego again, this time with her friend Emily. We loaded my stuff into her Toyota Camry and headed to Seattle for my first, and only, year at SPU. I like to sing along to songs on the radio. Rosie and Emily don't so much. In fact, they don't at all. And in that, they hate it when others do. It was a long road trip for all of us. More for them than me. I had a great time singing along to all my favorites.

5. I spent Thanksgiving of my freshman year of college with Rosie and her family. Rosie decided to make me and my friend Emily sing to her whole family. Why?! I to this day don't know why. but, she did.

6. Rosie is the favorite in my house. I am the favorite in her house, behind Jeff of course.

7. Rosie has spent a lot of time in Peru, it is even where she met her husband. Every time she is there, we are sure to talk on iChat, gChat, or even on the phone sometimes. Lots of HILARIOUS conversations have taken place. Advice given and advice taken.

8. Rosie was preparing for Stiv to come to America and was planning a wedding when I visited Seattle February a year and a half ago. We went thrift store shopping and Rosie found a sofa that she wanted. She called Stiv to discuss it. His response was priceless, "But honey, how will I eat?"

Rosie has been a constant in my life for over 9 years. We have had our ups and downs. We have laughed and cried together on more than one occasion. We have seen each other through so much.

Seattle Pacific, Azusa Pacific, and about 15 other schools between the two of us.
Rosie's mom getting diagnosed with Lung Cancer.
My dad dying of Lung Cancer.
Rosie traveling the world and then meeting and marrying Stiv.
Crippling anxiety.

Rosie, thank you for being such an invaluable friend. Thank you for your love and support throughout all of the years. You are a blessing. Love you Fer. :)