Ode to Katiebug

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of spending SEVEN hours in the same chair at the same coffeehouse in uptown Dallas, across from my bff that I've known for over 12 years. Today is her birthday!

This is her... are those not the most gorgeous brown eyes you've ever seen?!

Seven hours sounds like a long time but if you average it out over time (we very rarely get to see eachother) it is a drop in the bucket. But it was lovely. I drank chai tea for the first time, and it was super yummy. I've been missing out all this time. Who knew hot tea could be sweet and creamy?! So now I can feel cool at Starbucks when I get something besides apple cider or passion lemonade. w00t.

We talked about everything. I planned on spending a couple hours there and then coming back to ftw to relieve Riley from daddy duty, but he kept telling me to stay and enjoy. Isn't he wonderful?!

Katie's in her last semester of law school, so I may not get to see much of her until after the bar exam in July, but hey, it wouldn't be the first time we've spent months w/o talking.

We have been through a lot together. We've been through a lot separately. But every time we reconnect, nothing's changed. Well, you know, of course, a lot has changed, but our friendship still seems so young at heart. We went to school together (met our 1st semester at cfni then she moved in with me and my roomies the 2nd semester), spent 3 weeks in India together on a mission trip after graduating 10 years ago, bared our souls to each other with almost every man-related heartache...

We've never seen each other naked. I know that's random and maybe tmi, but a lot of bff's have so whatever. Her subway sandwich of choice was always veggie delight and mine is turkey on wheat.

I always thought her wedding would happen before mine, but it didn't turn out that way. I might be even more eager than she is for her to join me in the married club. ;)

We've always gotten along so well, although there have been times where we've hurt each other. One time she forgot my birthday and instead asked me to take one of her friends who I didn't even know, to work at 6am that morning. One time we almost ended our friendship because we had plans to hang out but then neither one of us wanted to make the 30 minute drive. I was a terrible friend and didn't go to her 30th bday party because I had already made other plans but totally should've canceled.

She's funny and kind and carefree and stylish and pure and intelligent and I just love her to pieces. It's a shame we don't keep in touch more often. She sent me flowers the day I told her I was pregnant out of wedlock. Even though we don't get to hang out very much, when we do, she's so present, if that makes sense. I feel like I'm all that matters to her in that moment. Ok, that sounds so self-centered, but that's just what an awesome person she is. We take turns talking and listening and there's no rush and no awkward silence and we just laugh and confess our less-than-holy experiences and give each other the ok instead of any judgment whatsoever.

Katie must be a better friend than I am because she's been a bridesmaid in so many weddings. Everyone adores her. And it's easy to see why.

I'm incredibly proud of her. When we were roommates she worked 1-12 after going to school 8-12, and still managed to graduate, moving up the corporate ladder. She then got her bachelor's degree while working full time, and is now about to be a full-fledged lawyer. Woah. I hope I'm not embarrassing you Katie!

I don't think our friendship is the typical one that you see between BFFs. We both have lots of other close friends and idk if we've ever really consistently labeled our friendship the way others do. I've been jealous of her other friendships in the past (that may be true for her but idk so i doubt it) and we've gone through seasons where we were totally uninvolved in each other's lives. But I think I've gotten to the point where I feel safe and happy with who we are to each other and no matter how far apart we ever live or how seldom we connect, she'll always be "the bestest friend i ever wanted!" (quoting my very young niece) *yes, riley is my best friend but you know what i mean*

So of course I had to dig out the old 35mm photo albums and give you a little taste of our friendship!

This is us at cfni where we first met.

Saree shopping in India:

 Young summer fun:

Katie's graduation from DBU:

 

At my new apartment in 2004:

 

One of my bridesmaids:

At some friends' wedding when I was pregnant with Julia:

 

Holding my firstborn:

 

At the State Fair a couple years ago:

 

Fast forward to 9 days ago at our roommate reunion:

 

Some warm memories:

*working in some lady's garden while reciting Princess Bride word-for-word.

*singing "Yesu-raja-vanderickiya" on a stage in south India in front of a sea of people. Wait I do have that pic...

*trying on hideously cute vintage outfits at a thrift store in Arlington.

*waking up at 7:53 and swiping in by 8:00.

*making lasagna with a homemade sauce that took 3 hours to simmer.

*painting our toenails outside our apartment while listening to Louis Armstrong.

*going ice-skating at the galleria (she bought me socks because I was wearing sandals!) for my bday.

*having her in the room when i was in labor for the first time, she rubbed my feet and sympathized for my agony and held Julia so sweetly afterwards.

*canceling her plans at the last minute to come over and give me a shoulder to cry on right after a breakup.

*watching a marathon bollywood movie one night at her place.

*i still have cute magnets and keychains she's given me as souvenirs from many places she's traveled to.

*she told me "why don't you just marry [riley]?" early on when many of my friends totally disapproved of him. she was so right!


Katie is a great listener, always encourages me and convinces me that I'm funny. We wear the same size jeans but for different reasons... kind of weird in a sisterhood-of-the-traveling-pants way. Her family is small and mine is big, but there's still so much in common there.

Her only flaw EVER was that she was always late... but worth the wait! And now she's only sometimes late ;)

I love you Katie and your friendship means the world to me! I hope you had the best birthday ever! AND... Let it be known that it was I and I alone who first donned you Katiebug! ;)


Pokeyjo