Flashback Friday #15

Today one of my closest friends, Katie, is in the hospital preparing to deliver her first child, Caroline.  Katie and I met in 2000.  (You can read a little more about our meeting here.)  We have been through some incredibly good times.  Oh if the walls of 321 Ann Street or 22 Lofting Iron Lane could speak. :)   Katie & her husband, Joe, got married in September 2009.  I was a bridesmaid in Katie's wedding and she was a bridesmaid in mine.  I knew the time would one day come when we would have children, but it always felt so far away.  Now the time has come and I couldn't be more excited for Katie & Joe.  They will make wonderful parents.  Katie will make an amazing mother.  Often in our past 11 years she has been known as the "Mom" of our group anyway... with her nurturing spirit, supportive personality, and incredible ability to cook delicious food.  So there is no question that she will be a perfect mother herself.

It is only fitting to honor Katie today.  This picture was taken in 2006.  I have to tell the story behind the picture just because it is funny and so telling of our friendship.  I was dating Ryan at the time (my now husband).  And Katie had been asked to go on a blind date, but she was very unsure of the whole idea.  She called me up one day and said "Will you go on a blind double date with me?  The guy that asked me to go has a friend that is going to go, too.  Do you think Ryan would mind?  I just don't want to go by myself."  The crazy thing is, I didn't think twice about it and told her "Of course!"  That is just something close friends would do for each other, right?!  We figured we could just leave the small part out that I had a boyfriend to the other guy that was accompanying us on the double date.  I knew Ryan would understand that I was doing this solely to help out my best friend that so desparately wanted to find her Mr. Right!  And he did understand. :)  So the above picture was taken from that night.  Needless to say, her relationship never really worked out with that guy, but our friendship is still just as strong as ever. :)  And the best part of all, now we both have found Mr. Rights.  Love you, Chong!  Can't wait to meet Miss Caroline...and can't wait to watch her grow up over the years and one day find her Mr. Right as well (but no time soon of course, haha)!