Friends

I have, hands down, bar none, some of the best friends in the world! One of the things I swore that I would do this year is make sure that I nurture these relationships. I have discovered that friends realize the best in you, know you at your worst and yet love you nontheless.
Rafe and I have been friends for so long that I am convinced that no one will ever know me like he does. It's odd because often times Rafe and I don't tell each other what we really mean to each other, but we know its there. And just today, on a whim, I checked his live journal and found this : Steph...LOL...this girl was the ice queen in high school. now...she leaves me in awe. yes...she is working out, dressing better, she looks great. beyond that...when she smiles...she radiates a happiness that is blinding. this girl has taken her life by the horns and made it her bitch...LOL. she was bound and determined to just be better...over all...and she is moving like a damn freight train. If you ask her...there are still things that she wants to improve...which there is always room from improvement bla bla bla...but from where she was to where she is...wow.

Rafe honey, you made me cry when I read that. You are without a doubt one of the most amazing people I know. I don't tell you this enough, but wow. I have such a deep love and respect for you. I remember there was a time I thought you were straight (that was funny), but wow, I've seen you grow into the most amazing man. You are strong, sensative, funny and you know what is important in life. I'm amazed at how you've made incredible decisions for yourself. I've seen you grow more in the past two years than I ever have. Your zest for life, your heart and your determination to be happy and satisfied with the decsions you make has inspired me! You've taught me more about love and forgiveness than anyone I know. When you love someone, you love them with every core of your being, you don't hold back and you show the best and worst of yourself. That is a rare gift, not many people can do that, but it only makes those you love that more special. I hope that everyone you love realizes this! You are amazing, truely and inspiration and my rock. I can't wait to see what the next 13 years will bring! Only the best and one day - God willing - my children can look up to their Uncle Rafe just the same way I do.

"When we honestly ask ourselve which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in a hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate, not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares". ~Henri Nowen