Happy Birthday Natalie!

Happy birthday Natalie. You are 28 years old today! You are one of the most amazing people I know. I’m so grateful that our parents brought us together, even though things between them did not work out. We’ve had some crazy times over the past 16 years...

Church dances. Ah memories. We got gussied up in our finest K-mart dresses every weekend to meet the man of our dreams, yet we left empty handed. At least we could bury our sorrows in a extra thick chocolate milkshake from Shari's. Although I did score a pretty hot football player.

Roomies. Although I didn't see a lot of you because of this boyfriend or that boyfriend, we still had a lot of good times. I'd like to take a little credit for your current obsession with cleanliness. We all know you weren't always like that. Chore chart ring a bell?

We were known, on more than one occasion, to bust out our old prom dresses and prance around the house. Thankfully, most of them still fit. Our weekends were usually planned on which night we were going to the Grizz. We got decked out in our best hoochie outfits and headed out for a night of fun and capped it off with a quick run through Jack-in-the-Box while Jericho Road blared in the background. We both new all the words and our friends looked at us like we were crazy. "Findin' my waaaaaaaay back to you. 'Cuz I can't live without ya Lord."

Speaking of Jericho Road. We did share a couple fun road trips. For some reason you always seemed to get pulled over. Never got a ticket though... I hated you for that. I ALWAYS get a ticket! We counted cows all the way to Utah and sang old songs at the top of our lungs. TLC was always a fave road trip CD. I'm still grateful you didn't make me pee on Anthony's lap.

I was so sad when you moved away. Thankfully, aside from seeing each other, our friendship hasn't changed much. I was by your side on your wedding day, as you were at mine We were fortunate enough to go through pregnancy together and now we get to share in the joys of motherhood. Haha! It's amazing to see how our lives are turning out. Thank you for being my friend, for keeping my secrets, and for always being there. I hope you have a great day. I love you, even if you are getting old and gray.