{I know we look a wee bit crazy in this photo, but let's just go with it.}
Every once in a while you meet a person who will irrevocably change your life. In the case of Aimee, it's been for the good.
Every so often you are lucky enough to find a friend who will stick with you through thick and thin, ask you the hard question, listen for hours and love you unconditionally-no matter what.
Every once in a decade or two you come across a soul so mirroring your own that you know they will be in your story forever.
Every once in a great many moons, you find someone like this Aimee girl o' my heart that will be your friend in all the hard moments and the beautiful ones too. And you will never be the same.
Aimee and I were together over this past wedding weekend and realized it is our 10-year anniversary.
How exciting!
For...
it was ten years ago that I called my friend Megn and her sister-in-law-to-be Aimee, whom I'd never met, answered the phone. I think we talked for an hour that day and sometimes it feels as if we never really put down the phone.
Despite the fact she was a month away from her wedding, we commenced a call-and-email-a-thon that has continued in varying forms throughout the years.
We didn't meet each other until a full year later when I flew out to stay with Aimee and her husband of a year, Mat. Even though we overwhelmed him at times, we kept Mat in the 'BFF club' and I sometimes echo Aimee's "babe" to him just because I can.
I pulled up a bunch of Aimee's and my early emails-I thought I could publish one on here for a laugh. But it turns out I can't. It's funny though-looking back at your 20-year-old self. I recently saw a sign in a window that said, "Never trust anyone under 30." I chuckled to myself then and have smirked many times since thinking about it. But then I sigh when I read awkward me way-back-when and think "for some this is true."
...I did send her this photo of me early on in our friendship.
As a testimony to her listening abilities, she knew all but 2 or 3 of the "Layne quiz" questions at my bachelorette party a couple of years ago. She remembered things I didn't know I'd ever rambled on to her about.
Despite the fact we've always lived thousands of miles apart, we've walked through some lovely and some truly difficult stuff together. Aimee (and fam) were my friends when 'most everyone else in my life disowned me.
Aimee heard about every crush, counselled me through so many life decisions and more recently flew with her wise and kind husband Mat out to Canada to marry me off to Jonathan a few short falls ago.
She and Mat have been rocks in my life, a peaceful landing place in any season.
Aimee love... On our first visit, when I asked Mat why he loved you so much, he said "because she has the biggest heart of anyone I know."
Ten years later, I feel so honoured, so grateful that this Big-Hearted girl has stuck with me through all the mess. You are amazing-there are truly no words.
You are in the deepest places of my heart and I will consider you a sister forever.
Thanks for all you are, for what you bring to the world. We-all us who know you-are better for having you in our lives. Your beauty and laughter, your wisdom and love bring so much Light everywhere you walk.
So, simply, thanks. I'm grateful for our first decade and can't wait for 50 more magical years by your side.
xoxox.