Celebrating Courtney!

My most-dedicated blog reader (there are only 6-8 of you per day, by the way)...is celebrating her birthday today.  This reader is also my very best friend of 26 years.  In the 5th grade I had the pleasure of meeting Courtney.  She had wispy brown hair, a freckled face, and a wicked talent for tetherball.  I loved her (and her huge family) instantly.  We were soon the best of friends.  Spending our weekends together giggling, playing MASH, and eating carob chips in paper cups.  I was mesmerized by how a family of seven functioned.  Each afternoon had healthy snacks, a warm greeting from their mom, cubbies for their stuff, separate laundry days, and a little sister sucking on her pacifier in the recliner.  I wanted to live there.

**at 19**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**at 16**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day my parents told me of their divorce, it is Courtney's father who came and picked me up.  I was so upset and something about their long picnic table, filled with the freckled siblings, and noise and faith-filled prayers and loving chaos gave my heart an embrace on a very dark day.  I have clung to this family ever since...and although perhaps I have idealized them over time...they remain the family that I most wish to emmulate.  The sibling bonds that I most wish for my own children.  A marriage at the helm that remains strong.  A home of such comfort that even now, I find myself picking at the grapes on their counter without asking.

**hanging with Court's clan on the front lawn recently**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtney is Nora's Godmother and shall always be another woman to whom my daughter can turn to with questions of love, faith, family, and friendship.  I celebrate her birthday from afar today.  Telling Noodle a few innocent stories of our teenage years...scurrying past the details of what all took place on the roof outside of my window, in the hot tub, and near the Chelan High football field booth.

**the infamous booth**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, "Happy Birthday" my dear dear friend.  You have supported me through every heartbreak, every global trip, and now through my true love and first child.  I learn from you all the time.  I hope to be able to foster the same type of kindness and spark in Nora that I see in your two sons.

 

 

**at 18**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora rode in her first swing today at the park.  She giggled and laughed and I so wished you could have been here to see it.  I took a photo instead.  We love you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**And the video message.  I think Nora actually rolls her eyes at my singing (the first of many times, I'm sure.)**

Comments

[Courtney]

Love!! =)

[Claire Bidwell Smith]

So sweet! Love, love these old photos!

[Rachel]

We love you too Amber. Thanks for taking us back to so many wonderful memories!