The Gift Of Friendship

These following quotes on friendship reminded me of Myca:

"Friendship isn't a big thing-it's a million little things." (Author Unknown)

"I like her because she smiles at me and means it." (Anonymous)

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." (Elisabeth Foley)

"You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Prov. 27:17, The Message)

Myca and me

Let me introduce you to one of the most important gifts God has blessed my life with...my friend Myca. She is hands down the best friend I have ever had. We have been friends for over 20 years now. That means that I was around 16 when I started hanging around this precious family of 4. And that would have put Myca at the age of ??...(I was told to be nice here! :)

As I would walk by their house or ride my bike in our neighborhood, I would notice this cute little blonde-haired boy. And I would see this family that seemed so nice. I wanted to meet them. So I started coming around more and more. Before I knew it, The Randalls became my friends. It wasn't long after that, this cute little boy had an adorable little sister. Her name is Bethany. I still remember when they brought her home from the hospital. I then became their babysitter. We had a lot of fun together...memories I will cherish forever. Griff and Beth became like a little brother and sister to me.

Even though there are a few years in age between Myca and me, our friendship began to grow. I can't remember there being many days that I wasn't at their house. (At least my parents always knew where I was!) I always knew that someday I wanted to get married and have kids of my own, so having the opportunity to babysit really helped me in my parenting now. "Consistency"...that's what she always told me. And because I spent so much time with Myca, I learned more about Jesus from being with her. Myca is a faithful follower of Christ and modeled that daily. That came in handy in my teenage years! She also demonstated how to love her husband. They have been through a lot as a couple, heartaches that I never want to experience, yet their love and faithfulness remains strong. But I wasn't just a babysitter for her kids, or just a sister in Christ, but I was her friend...and still am to this day.

Let me share just some of the things she has done for me...

• trusted me with her kids (that's funny in itself! :)
• took time to talk to me during her busiest of days raising 2 kids
• fed me (paula deen has nothin' on myca's chicken 'n rice and fried squash!)
• picked me up and cleaned me up after a nasty bike wreck (how embarrassing)
• didn't laugh at me during my lanky legged, braces and glasses years (Seriously Andy, quit laughing!:)
• fed me
• included me in all the family parties (b-days, holidays)...or did I invite myself?
• showed up at Red Lobster on one of my dates to ease my nervousness (you are so sneaky!)
• painted me a tennis room when I left for college
• threw me a bridal shower
• fed me
• was the matron of honor in my wedding...thank you.
• prayed for me
• encouraged me (lots!)
• cried with me
• laughed with me
• and did I mention that she fed me? I wasn't sure...

Needless to say, I have many memories with my friend. It's not too often that you find a friend and remain best of friends for that many years. But even after I moved away for college and got married, our friendship remained strong. I visited them every chance I could when I would go back home. And yes, she even fed me then! Anytime you move away, changes in relationships can be expected. Sure, because of distance, I don't get to talk to Myca everyday like I used to. But to this day, Myca Randall is still my best friend. She is a friend to many...I'm just thankful that I am one of those friends on her list.

So Myca, thanks for over 20 years of friendship. You grow even more special to me every single day. I appreciate your trust and your faithful friendship. Thanks for always keeping in touch with me. I love that when we get together, we can literally pick up just where we left off. Thanks also to you guys for loving my husband and my girls. You guys are family to us. I know you hold us in your prayers. What a blessing to have you in my life. So thanks for smiling at me, because I know behind every smile, you actually mean it. God bless.

Love ya friend!

Jenn (a.k.a. J-flop)

P.S. Oh yeah, and thanks for letting me tell you "blonde jokes" and never getting mad about it. :)