November 2

Today, a group of ladies gathered from Chicago, Seattle, Spokane, and San Diego to celebrate our sweet friend Amanda becoming a bride on Saturday. We went to Cafe Sevilla to sip some tasty Sangria, shower the bride with goodies for the bedroom (which are more for the groom, let's be honest) and just enjoy time with each other.

Most of us met in the fall of 2003 when we all ventured to Seattle Pacific University for freshman year of college. Lisa, Amanda, Rochelle, Michelle, Carley and I all lived on 4E Ashton. I moved after a quarter but remained close to these ladies. Lisa, Amanda and I instantly bonded over the fact that we are all from San Diego. We would help each other through the dark days on Seattle's winter. We held each other and prayed as we watched news of the 2003 wildfires. We laughed as Lisa fell down Ashton hill in the rain (and we still laugh about this). Michelle helped me to stay focused on school work when all I wanted to do was be social. Carley has the sweetest demeanor about her, making everyone feel safe. Rochelle brings joy to ANY situation... she is just hilarious!

I am thankful for my short-lived time in Seattle. Though I was only there September-June, I made some of the best friends a girl can ask for. I am thankful that SPU was a place that we all called home for a season. I am thankful that through seasons of life; marriages, babies, moving, job changes, and joys and sorrows, we have remained friends.