Happy Birthday X 2!

Today is a special day!

Today, one of my bestest ever friends celebrates her birthday. Mel (you might know her from I'm Not Weird, I'm Gifted... but she is weird... just sayin') turns... well... older... today and I just wanted to wish her Happy, Happy Birth-DAY (conga-line tune, remember?).

Mel and I have been friends a long, long time. We met about 20 years ago, when we were both young and cool. Well, I was cool. She was a dork. Less of a dork than she is today, mind you, but still a dork. And we disliked each other instantly. We both pride ourselves on generally getting people right, so I figure it was a fluke... or we're going to find out 10 years from now that we were right and we're both awful people. Yeah. Let's go with the former. Anyway, we decided we weren't so bad after all and we eventually became friends. Best friends. Mel was in my wedding... then she became Ryan's 'GodMommy'. She's been there through good times and bad. She has been my rock and a shoulder when I needed it. She knows when I need her to stick up for me and when I need her to just let me vent. She makes me laugh like no one else on the planet. She has never let me down, not once in 20 years, and I am truly blessed to have her in my life. Even if she is a dork.

So, happy, happy birth-DAY, my friend!!

Today is also The Republican's birthday. And he's just old today. Heh heh. I haven't known him nearly as long as I've known Mel, but that doesn't lessen his impact on my life. Unlike the situation with Mel, when I met him, I liked him a lot... until we had a conversation about gay marriage... in the parking lot of the restaurant at the end of our first date... in the freezing cold. Let's just say there was no goodnight kiss... just the sound of my squealing tires, as I sped out of there like a bat out of Hell. I never expected to see him again. But see him I did, on many occasions, for many non-dates. He came into my life when I really needed someone to just like me for me, in spite of my many faults (and no, Mr. Republican, I do NOT mean my politics!). And he does like me (or he fakes it really well). I still hate his politics but I like him, too. He is generous, kind, and funny, and I value his friendship, probably more than he knows. He's doing important work in Afghanistan and while I'm happy for him, as he loves what he's doing, I worry about his safety and I miss him.

So, happy, happy birthday to you, you grumpy old Republican!

I hope you both have the most wonderful day!!! XOXO