Yesterday was one of my very best friend's birthday. I would like to be able to tell you about how we spent the whole weekend together hanging out, going mini golfing or hiking, out to eat at a fancy restaurant, and finishing the night with drinks of champagne while filling the day with lots of laughter and great memories. Instead, I was 12 hours away sitting in my sweatpants all day thinking about her, how great of a person she is inside and out, how much she means to me, and how I miss her so so much (even though I just got back from visiting her a few weeks ago).
Katie and I met in college. The summer before my junior year I applied to work at a slightly sketchy bar and grill that one of my high school classmates worked at at the time. There were some interesting characters that worked there and I always felt a little out of place every time I showed up. I can’t say it was the best life move I’ve ever made but it surely wasn’t the worst....because it’s where I met Katie. We became friends slowly over the summer and when I decided to apply to a more popular mainstream eating place she applied there as well and our friendship grew even stronger.
By the next fall we became roommates and the Adventures of Sarah and Katie officially began. We’ve had our share of ups and downs--late night study dates that led to hours of youtubing funny videos instead, quizzing me on my notecards, the occasional “what am I going to DO with my life?!” conversations followed by the “You can do this Sar!” pep talk, running around the house screaming/trying to kill the centipedes we found crawling all over our beds/rooms, drinkscapades that ended in utterly embarrassing moments (i.e. chasing her around the house throwing anything I could find in my purse at her for talking on the phone/inviting an asshole of a man over after the bar), drunken cry fests, girls nights watching a marathon of chick flicks wondering if we will ever find someone to love us like the guys in the movies....you know the down right tragic lifestyles of single college girls.
Since college this lady has remained my rock through all my terrible life decisions. She has always been my go to person with all my personal drama and without judgement she has been there to listen and give her amazing advice. I don’t know how many times I’d call her crying because I was home sick in Oklahoma and within a couple days I’d have a care package of things I love (kit kats, inspirational/funny books) with a card motivating me to keep going. Sometimes she’d go as far as driving the 9 hours to surprise me even if did result in a shattered window and stolen gps.
KTV (as we call her) is one of the most caring, understanding, compassionate people a person will ever meet in their entire life. Regardless of what she has going on in her life, she will drop EVERYTHING to be there for her friends and any one else in need. Last summer her golden heart pointed her towards Africa where she was able to spend 4 weeks touching the lives of (I’m sure of it) everyone she met. When she got back she went about selling almost everything she owned for enough money to move to Colorado where she finished her schooling with an internship in social work working with troubled youth. Now she devotes almost ALL her time to helping children through case work. Case work is not a job for the faint of heart. It takes someone with a ginormous heart--of which KTV surely has.
So what did this magnificent person do on her birthday you ask? Well she took it as an opportunity to recruit people to help the flood victims from a week ago. Duh-why would her birthday be about her? Of course she would spend her day/weekend helping others in need! My only regret is that I wasn't able to spend her weekend with her helping her celebrate it the way she wanted...do what she does best!
I have sooooo many KTV stories I could share on the blog (and some day I just might), but the one thing I wanted to share today was her incredible spirit and heart of gold. I am thankful every day (and twice on Sundays) for her friendship and that she chooses to keep me around because I’m the first to admit, I am far from worth it. If you read my blog and know Katie I think you will wholeheartedly agree, and if you haven’t met this amazing individual I recommend that you do. You will not regret it or be sorry.
Peace and blessings :)
