Happy Birthday to Jamie... whom I adore!

My best friend Jamie had a birthday this week on the 2nd of June. Because she inspires me so much to be a better person, I thought I would dedicate this post to her in honor of her induction to the "29 Club" (a phrase coined by friends Unmesh, Lonelle, Aleks and Leonard a few years ago upon their almost-thirty birthdays).

So, let me tell you a little about my lady Jamie Kate.

I met her in 6th grade. We had math class together, and I think a couple other classes. She was a little shy and kept to herself other than talking to a few other friends. I remember sitting in math class and telling her she looked like Mariah Carey. I don't really remember how our friendship grew, but in the next year or so we became sort of inseparable. We had sleepovers, birthday parties, talked on the phone for hours, played with each other's hair, gossiped about classmates, went to dances and football games together, went to movies... this list would probably be endless if I had a photographic memory.

We shared SO MANY life experiences throughout middle school, high school and college. SOOO many. My heart fills up so much thinking about how much her presence has meant to me, and how much I have relied on her friendship to get me through the crap in life.

So... I thought a lot about how I could really do this, but I ultimately decided it might be fun to do a "29 Random Things" post about our friendship and about how freaking rad Jamie is. Here goes!!

1. Jamie's most favorite color EVER is Red. If you don't already know this, you probably also don't even know who I'm talking about.

2. She prefers red wine over white wine. (If ever you need a gift idea... ;) See photo above...) But sometimes in the summer, white wine is just what the doctor ordered.

3. Her favorite car for the longest time was the Mitsubishi Eclipse.

4. The woman loves to cut a rug. She will keep a party going until roosters crow.

5. She's never had her ears pierced.

6. Her favorite movie is Back to the Future.

7. There was one snow day where it was so cold outside they wouldn't run the busses, and Jamie came over to listen to Ace of Base with me. Awesome!

8. For Jamie's 15th birthday, we threw a "surprise party" at my dad's house complete with water balloons and pizza. It was fantastic!!

9. Jamie played some killer tennis in high school!

10. She also played flute for a short while.

11. I wanted Jamie to come with me on the cruise vacation my parents took me on for high school graduation. We drank like fish, and my parents still herald us as "the most fun on a vacation"!

12. Jamie paid her own way through college, which is amazing. She's also one of the hardest working people in the world.

13. Her favorite TV show is probably Friends, but Sex and the City comes in a close second!

14. She also came with us to Panama City our Junior year in High school... Best. Spring Break. Ever.

15. Her favorite store to shop at these days? DSW. Shoes!!

16. Ummm, she'd totally rather be at the beach right now.

17. Jamie's grandma used to give us rides home from school. In her blue Buick. Ohhh yeah.

18. We bought matching outfits in 7th grade for a talent show that never actually happened.

19. She's really allergic to cats, but for some reason whenever she's over at the apartment my cat Simon will automatically gravitate toward her lap.

20. She met her fabulous husband in 1998, the summer after high school graduation. They've been together ever since. ;)

21. We are both giant fans of 80's music, and we had a blast at the Duran Duran concert this year.

25. We've also seen Garbage, 311, Tears for Fears, Jimmy Eat World and I'm sure a few others together.

26. A movie that always makes me think of her is "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion".

27. Almost all of my guy friends have consistently asked about the status of her love life... i.e. my old roommates used to ask "Is she still married?" Yes. She's THAT hot. ;)

28. Teen Pop sensation or not, Jamie loves Britney.

29. The best thing about Jamie is that she picked ME to be her BFF!!! I am INCREDIBLY lucky.

Anyway, I hope you have the HAPPIEST of birthdays, and I can't wait to celebrate with you tonight! You are the best. I love you!