the whole story

Sometimes, and often more than once in a blue moon it feels so good to talk to an old friend.  An old friend who knows the whole story.  No beginnings, because the beginning was too long ago to remember, just updates.

Annalise and I spoke tonight/early this morning for the first time in months.  I picked up the phone and our love picked up as if I was speaking to her five minutes post high school graduation (more than two years ago).

Words cannot express the wonderful influence Annalise has had on my life.  She has loved me for who I am, always, in a world where yourself is never good enough.  She makes me laugh, and our inside jokes formed long ago are still fresh today.  I miss her terribly and cherish being able to listen and hear about her fabulous developing life on the East Coast at school.

So here's a little memory blog entry for ya girlie:
•I met Annalise my freshman year of high school when I was fourteen years old.  We were not close, however until our senior year.  We were crazy together, and post graduation jetted off to the gulf coast for one amazing vacation that will always be remembered.
•We would have multiple day sleep overs plus photo shoots where sometimes Annalise would resemble a long lost Gotti sister.  Coining one inside joke (and love for those cute, but obnoxious Gotti boys): Gotta Getta Gotti
•Then there was/is my obsession with Annalise's (late) wallpaper.  I swear it was a botanical oasis and she had it on her ceiling.  I was heartbroken when I learned she painted her walls this year.
•Prom had no match for our premature event planner hearts.  We organized our group and made ourselves the stars of our high school that night/week prior.  It was lovely.  The rumors were flying: "I heard you guys are coming on a boat!"
•Our mutual love for cats.  We adored them.  We analyzed their personalities.  We concurred.
•Those late night hot tub talks on her deck that turned into the wonderful summer memories never to be forgotten.
•Imaging the amazing-ness that will be our future weddings. 
•Visiting Annalise's lovely grandparents and checking out the massive family tree dating back to the Mayflower. 
•Nordies and the Rack.  Nordies Restaurant.  Nordies lemonade with excessive amounts of sugar. 
•Spending Saturday mornings senior year at the Portland city library researching while being bombarded by wacky people.  "Girl in the yellow sweat shirt!!!" (yelled at to me, by a crazy man)
•"Practicing" dance moves and falling down on the ground followed by Annalise's hysterical laughter.
•Dealing with one helluva crazy AP English teacher who thought we were stupid and was proved wrong (thank goodness)

Without a doubt Annalise is a lovely lady and our friendship is one of life's treasures.  Sometimes you stumble upon someone who is a diamond, and you are left thinking: how did I get so lucky?

And our fabulousness will go on and on...

Yes, my blog is a love letter to my friends.  No, I have zero apologies. 

Comments

[Adrienne]

You shouldn't have apologies! Great entry!

[Teresa]

You have some great friends....thank heaven for email and phones :}

[Dad]

Katie:

What a great pic of Analise. I love your friendship and have great memories of our post graduation trip down south and New Orleans.

Love Dad

[Annalise]

Katie, you are such a friend. you are the friend that i think every girl should have, and i just try to be that kind of friend to you and everyone else that i encounter; our trip was not only hilarious (including papa bear singing and snapping his fingers to luther vandross haha) but let me see a lot of different people, including kenny and pinkfoot! you will be a success no matter where you go because your confidence is contagious, and no matter how you are feeling, you always make the person next to you feel special. and you are so special so I hope the next boy you meet will know that (and I will analyze and he will have to get by me before i give you my approval) i love you so much katie. love, annalise