Happy Birthday, Mart!

This here blog has become a sort of love language for me.  I am way better at expressing myself with the written word, as opposed to speaking. I stumble over my words, have awkward pauses and usually end up crying (if it's something really serious or close to my heart), which is a whole bag of... superawkward and frustrating sometimes.

I always write a loooong message on cards for almost every occasion and, of course, thank you notes (I l-o-v-e LOVE thank you notes). :)  It's just how I roll.  I process things as I write them out.  I am not the best writer, but what you read, is what you get, really. I am alll me.

January 2006
Winter Retreat- MU
Before we were even really friends!

With that being said. Indulge me while I write some birthday thoughts and share some pics of my BFF, Martha.

Oh, Mart. I am not really sure where I should even begin.

First, let me just say that I love you. You are one of my closest friends, and I am so blessed and so honored to have you in my life. I seriously do not know what my life would be like without you in it.

You have become my family... I am so grateful for your love. I am so grateful for your prayers. For your encouragement. Enthusiasm. Empathy. Accountability. Jokes. Hugs. And sharing your adorable baby with me.

I know that I drive you crazy a lot of the time (especially in the car when you want me to turn and I

January 2007
Winter Retreat- MU

don't!) and say things that you don't understand.  But, you love me anyway.  You have seen me at my worst, when I have been mean, unloving, selfish, hurtful and not the funnest person to be around. You have loved me through it.  I don't know how I have been blessed with a friend like you. I am so undeserving.

But, God uses our friends to remind us of many things. Namely, that we are worthy and deserving of love. He uses our families, spouses, kids and friends to show us what true love is. And He no doubt, has placed you in my life to remind me of His love for me.

I will be forever grateful.

Thank you. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for bringing me into your family. Thank you for sharing your heart with me. Trusting me. Thank you for letting me be part of your daughter's life so intimately. I have no words to express what a gift Susannah is in my life.

And now... now I am not really sure how to end this. :)  Please know how much you mean to me. I hope you have such a wonderful birthday! It's your LAST year as a 20-something! Go crazy! Wait... you already did and died your hair red!!! ;) So many prayers and blessings and love for the next year and always.

Annnnnd, now more pics. Because I spent an absurd amount of time looking through Facebook at all of our pics and memories! You know you want to see which ones I have chosen. And, go!

July 2007
Lourdes, France (not Disney World!)

April 2008
Mart's bday in Coconut Beach, FL!

October 2008
Coll's birthday trip to 'Bama

June 2009
Tennessee

June 2009
Tennessee... same trip as above. It was too good not
to have two pics! :)

July 2009
WOOOO!

December 2010
Tuscaloosa, AL
The night Mart and Tom were engaged! :)
And, this might be one of the only few pics that exist for that year.

July 2011
The Oram Wedding

December 2012
A lot happened this year... I came home from Honduras and
the babe was born! And not many pics of Mart and me exist.

January 2013
Assisi, Italy

January 2014
Naples, FL ;)

Soooo many good memories!! We have traveled the world together and done some pretty awesome things! I hope to only continue them! Please go give some birthday love to Mart over on her blog, Twitter, Instagram... or any other way you know how to contact her! ;)