Over twenty years ago, my life changed when I met Jennifer Ralston. Our families were members of the same homeschooling association in Georgia. We fell in together mostly out of necessity; we were the same age, and there weren't many other girls our age, and so we became best friends. I asked her if she was ever called Jenny, and she informed me that she was, but it would need to be spelled with an "i". I recommended dropping it to one "n", because that looked more French (how would I know? I read it in a book somewhere, I am sure), and so she became "Jeni with one N and an I" and the obligatory 11-year-old heart or star dotting the "I". And we had so much fun. There were three of us--Sarah, the red head; Jeni, the brunette; and Leah, the blonde. Our parents called us the Three Musketeers. Sometimes Jeni and I were inseparable, sometimes Sarah and I, sometimes Jeni and Sarah. It cycled through, and just when it seemed despairing, it would cycle back and we would all get along again. I really never thought that I would still be friends with Jeni today--but I am. We can go for weeks without talking, and we frequently do, but it is so easy to catch up. She understands me, probably because she has seen me since I was a child, and knows what has formed my life.
Though we didn't live in the same area after I turned 16, we still shared everything. I remember attending camp with Jeni and meeting the guy who would eventually be her husband. We didn't know that then, but the next year, she went to camp without me, and had a date with this guy as soon as she got back! I was so jealous, and yet excited for her. Not to long after that she called to tell me that she had given Jeff's class ring back--and he had given her an engagement ring. They were young and in love, and I was thrilled for them. A few years later, I met Nathan, and he had to meet Jeni:-) She approved, and all was well! I was beyond excited when I learned that Jeni was pregnant, and when we found out it was going to be a girl--yippee! Kaitlyn is such a blessing, as is little Joe, Jeni's son. I am proud to be their Aunt Leah. Jeni was a great source of encouragement and advice during my pregnancy, and she selflessly gave up a weekend to come take care of me when Georgia was two weeks old. She was so much help--she cooked, cleaned and held the baby while I showered. I still feel truly blessed to know Jeni as my friend, and to have her in my life.
If we were to tell anyone about our lives, they would be shocked by the amount of death we have encountered. Jeni's father died when we were twelve. It was the most horrific thing to happen in my young life, and was of course tragic for Jeni. I spent hours at her house, walking around her neighborhood, sitting in her room. Just hanging out, not talking a lot, but just being there. Four years later, Sarah, one-third of our gang, died in a car accident. She was 15, Jeni and I were 16. Our lives, our faith, our friendship was rocked--but all stood firm. It seems that the tragedies in our lives refined our friendship, like fire refines gold. Jeni and I did not have a lot of petty arguments or frivolous times as friends. I think we had been through too many things together to worry about stupid stuff. Thirteen years after her father's death, when I was in my mid-twenties, my father suddenly died. And Jeni was there through it all. I remember feeling like my life raft had arrived when Jeni showed up unexpectedly at the funeral home for the visitation. With a six week old baby in her arms, Jeni was by my side to comfort me and grieve with me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude just thinking about it now.
I am so proud of her, of what she has become and is becoming. Jeni is the essence of hospitality (one of the best cooks I know), and I would like to think that a lot of my hospitality inspiration comes from her. Jeni loves to read--she has introduced me to wonderful books, and I would like to think I have shared some with her. Have you ever been in a room where two people are both reading books? There is something comforting and familiar there, an ease of friendship, a quiet intimacy, with no need to fill the silence with noise or distractions. I can be in that room with Jeni. Most importantly, though, she loves the Lord with all her heart, and serves His church with much of her time and energy. She is an example to me in so many ways, and I am thrilled to call her my friend.
Yesterday my friend turned 30. Here is to 20+ years of friendship, and hopefully many decades more!
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know
~"More than you'll ever know", Watermark
1 comment:
I am so proud of this beautiful woman, my wife. I am blessed to have her in my life. She is more than anything I ever imagined, and the most perfect person I know.
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