she's coming...

suz & me, kodak ls753

...a few more hours and she'll be here. Trekking from the other side of sunny Cali.

It was 20 years ago when I first laid my eyes on this goddess. I was a freshman in my first day of French class, sitting there in my cold seat, feeling so entirely awkward and unsure of my very stoic French teacher awaiting the rest of class to file in.

Everyone was whispering around me. As I slowly scanned the classroom, I realized I didn't know a soul. Most of the students were older than me. Thus began the awkward Freshman blues washing over me.

Then SHE happened.

suz & me

She was one of the last students to come stumbling in. She was tall, slender and had these gorgeous long, wavy tresses trailing down her back. I remember being surprised that she came to school with her hair wet. This was the 1980's, you know. It was all about dry, big, hair sprayed hair. I was impressed with her ability to look absolutely gorgeous with not a stitch of 80's make-up and the bravery of wet unstyled hair. She sat down in the empty seat next to me. We smiled awkwardly.

Then our teacher, without saying a word of hello, stood in front of the class behind a podium with an empty brown box sitting on top. Without cracking a smile he held up a banana and shouted the word "banana" in French and then placed it into the box..."En Banane...dans la boite!" He did this object after object. Suzi and I immediately locked our eyes and started giggling.

This is where the story of our friendship began.

We've been through mountains and valleys together. We've moved to a different State together. We've picked one another up out of painful and unhealthy relationships. We've been one another's biggest fans.

The first day she traveled to meet my future husband, I had to work. So, they spent the day together. They walked along the beach, shared stories, threw rocks into the ocean, and took some home for me. She said she felt like he was her brother instantly. When I arrived home, she said..."I couldn't have imagined anyone more perfect for you."

A few months ago she met a truly special man at a wedding back where she lives. He was in town for the wedding. Guess where he lives? Yes...he lives here...near my husband and I.

Funny how the Universe works. It is so fracken cool (that was for Pixie)!

suz & her nephew pickin' his cute nosie