And that is when I met her daughter, my very best friend... Chrissi Lauritzen.
I write this blog with tears in my eyes because for the first time in all those years I have to say "goodbye"... As this beautiful women has decided to move out to her dream state, Colorado.
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From what I can remember Chrissi and I were pretty much inseparable growing up. I don't remember exactly how long Nancy babysat me but I was always at her house. To this day it still feels like my second home. I could tell you countless stories of pool parties, barbies, and staying up late during sleepovers.
We lived in a small town growing up (Nevada, IA) which meant it was safe and we were allowed a lot of freedom. Well with freedom always came responsibility. So frequently we were asked to run up to fareway for Nancy to pick up a few items, it was only two blocks away.
Well on this particular day she need quite a few items. It was a hot summers day so after exiting the store, with both our arms loaded with grocery sacks, I decided to drink my chocolate milk I'd bought. Well if one thing in this life is for sure, its that Chrissi and I love to laugh. So the next thing I knew I was busting a gut and shot chocolate milk out my nose. All over my white overalls. This spiraled the laughter out of control. I peed my pants (still wearing those WHITE overalls)!!!. Mortified, as pee is running down the sidewalk in front of fareway, I set down the two arms full of groceries in front of Chrissi, left her there and ran back to her house. Wow how could either of us ever forget that story!!!
To say that Chrissi and I LOVED playing with barbies would be a understatement. Well one birthday of hers we were at a park in a enclosed shelter celebrating her with a party. This party was equipped with the norm. lots of kids, cake and gifts. After she had opened all her gifts (including barbies of course) everyone headed outside for some sort of event. At that time is when Chrissi and I decided it would be more fun to go back in the shelter by ourselves and play with the barbies! Yes the birthday girl left her own party. Needless to say her parents were not thrilled when they discovered we were not among the other kids and promptly made us return outside. We just didn't understand why it wasn't ok to play with the barbies instead???
I can't count the number of times we pleaded, bagged and bargained to have sleepovers. We'd do ANYTHING, housework, yard work, back rubs, ANYTHING if Nancy would just say "yes"! And most of the time she did ;)
Several of these nights we'd stay up late giggling in bed for hours. We'd get a first warning, a second warning and even sometimes a third warning. But quite often in order for us to be quiet and go to sleep meant being separated.
The amount of memories I have with this women is amazing. I'll make a list...
1. Swimming countless hours in her above ground swimming pool.
2.Getting in trouble for dripping water from our suits all over the house.
3. Going to fareway to get their large used boxes to make forts in the back yard
4. Playing barbies EVERYWHERE in and outside the house
5. Giggling in bed for hours
6. Her parents asking her to complete a chore, her complaining, until I said lets just do it and get it over with, her getting mad when her parents said "ya do what April said".
7.Standing in the corner for disobeying, on top of those old fashion floor vents
8. Snuggling on the couch with her mom
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| Or should I say torturing her mom on the couch |
9. Going up to the bank and eating their free cookies
10. Riding bikes and wiping out
11.Eating dinner with her and her family
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| Nancy and Greg |
12. Buying groceries from fareway
13. Giving her mom back rubs as a bribe or for a little spending cash
14. Going into the attic and being scared silly by the bats
15. Playing with her mom's make-up in front of her big vanity
16. Telling on her big brother when we thought he was being mean
17. Her family teasing me because I always made a "yuuuummmmm" sound when I ate
18. When she stood by my side and video taped the birth of my first daughter Kiara
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| Even being a complete goof she's beautiful! |
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| The beautiful Becky! |
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| For my twenty first birthday, see look at the feathers on that gift wrapping! |
23. And most importantly going to church with her as a child.
Here are my top Five things I love about this women...
1. She knows how to laugh and make others laugh
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| We randomly ran into each other at Sam's Club which is quite odd seeing how we live 45min. away from each other. |
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| So we decided to take random funny pic of us holding large quantities of frozen goods! |
2. She LOVES her family
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| Chrissi crochet this wonderful blanket for me. |
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| And then made it even more special by taking these pics! |
3. She has always been there for me no matter the circumstances
4. She has a giving heart.
5. She's family! Its doesn't matter how long we go without seeing one another. When we get together its like we were never apart.
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| making tie dye shirts |
Chrissi's family were the first people to share Christ with me. They took me to their church in Ames and to bible camp one year. That year at camp was the first time I remember knowing who Christ was and accepting Him into my heart. They planted the seed that the Lord has watered in my heart all these years. And for that I will be forever grateful to the Lauritzen family!
Now the question is... How do I say "goodbye"???
Well I guess I don't.
Like I said earlier, Chrissi is family, in all meanings of the word. Here on earth and as a sister in Christ in heaven. And no matter how long were apart we'll always be a part of each others lives. So I'll never really say goodbye.
Chrissi I love you so much. And I pray the Lord guides your path and is a light to your feet. XOXO
What a beautiful tribute to your friend. There is always something special about friends that you grew up with. I will be praying that you are able to stay close despite the distance!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg!
ReplyDelete