Everyone needs an Amie in their life!

Everyone needs to have a friend like Amie in their life. She is my dear friend from Long Island, that helped me grow up, taught me about strength and honesty like I have never known before. Today is her birthday and I wanted to share a little bit about this amazing woman that I have had the joy and priviledge of being friends with for almost 8 years. Wow, how time flies!

When I first me her, she was pregnant with Hunter Cole, already mom to Alexa (Lexi) Paige and wife to Andrew. From the moment I met her, I knew there was something about her that would make me want to know her more. We were neighbors and young moms who met with a "playgroup" weekly on Thursdays. It was more of a refuge for the moms while the 8 kids ran around and played. It was a time to learn about eachother, hash out issues in our lives, talk girl talk, gossip and eat. I learned quickly that Amie had strong opinions and she didn't really care whether or not you liked them, a trait found in many of my "strong island" women friends. She wasn't about to change who she is for anyone.......and why should she?

As time marched on, she and I became extremely close, walking the neighborhood pushing child filled wagons or strollers up and down the hills of Country Pointe. There was nothing too personal or sacred in our lives that we didn't share with eachother. Nothing. We would talk, talk, talk while on walks, over coffee at her kitchen table, or daquiris by the pool. When I made the decision to leave my husband, she was my rock and biggest cheerleader. Heck, she even delivered the infamous paperwork to serve him! How many friends would stick their neck out like that for you? One in a million.

She has watched and loved my children for many hours so that I could have some alone time, and time to study. She encouraged me in my schooling, she held me up when I thought I could not go another day. She taught me what it meant to be strong, secure, and more honest with myself. When I moved to NC, she gave me a coffee mug (that I drink from almost daily) that reads, "You'll always be my girlfriend. You know way too much!" That statement couldn't be more true!

Beyond her amazing strength and ability to confront any issue without hesistion, she is the clean freak that inspires me to vaccuum and dust. Did you know that she vaccuums daily, dusts on Tuesdays, and launders sheets on Fridays? She exercises everyday, even on holidays. She has more energy than the energizer bunny. She is a strong disciplinarian, a faithful and loving wife and mother and she would do just about anything for someone that she calls friend.

Besides cleaning and excercising, there are a multitude of things she loves like, Bon Jovi, the color Pink, Survivor, her dogs, coffee and me. :) I thank God everyday for my beautiful friend and I look forward to growing old, knowing I can call my Amie with any question, thought, laugh or concern. I miss you. I love you. I can't wait to see you in July, the time just can't pass quick enough! Happy Birthday my love, and remember, I know what you won't be getting today, hahaha!!!!