October 9th is my sweet friend's birthday. October 9th is today. You should all eat some cake and play happy music and decorate your house with streamers because life is short and you should eat as much cake as possible but also because today is the day Becca was born and that is SUCH a huge thing to celebrate!
She encouraged young, awkward Claire when I joined a sign language choir and she was my first leader. (Even when I signed "hope" with both hands on opposite sides of my head...:))
She encouraged me again when I moved into a leadership role in the choir.
And she encouraged me again when I moved on from the sweet group.
She was always the first one to call when my brothers were hospitalized.
She comforted me when I visited her in the hospital because she knew I was worried.
She didn't think it was weird to play 50's music all afternoon and make french fries and milkshakes.
She drank said milkshakes with a smile even though they were basically just chocolate milk.
She didn't mind when I bought the same shoes she had because I liked them.
Or when I made her go buy some shoes to match mine.
She took me to Disneyland. Twice.
She made me laugh when I tried to tell her we were moving and couldn't get the words out because I was trying not to cry.
She let me invite myself to her house all the time....
Especially the last week we were in Arizona when I was at her house almost everyday. Even then it wasn't enough time. One of those days (actually two because our {precious} videographer may or may not have filmed it crooked the first time...haha) we made a video signing For Good from Wicked. You can watch it here.
It was the perfect way to wrap up six wonderful years together in Arizona. The words are everything I would have said if I was as eloquent as Stephen Schwartz!
It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part; so much of me is made of what I learned from you; you'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end; I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.
Becca, Happy 23 years! Thank you for being your wonderful self--you bless my heart. I am so, so thankful for you and for our years being within driving distance. I can't wait to cram enough memories for another scrapbook into my next visit. I love you to Arizona and back.
Always,
Claire