I am having a hard time at work right now, so instead of feeling sorry for myself and wallowing in my sadness, I have decided to write more about the people I admire most!

My father.

My father is resilient. My father is strong. My father inspires me to have courage and hope. My father is a man of God- and that is the most important trait of all. I still call him daddy, and I refuse to be embarrassed about it! He has always loved me, and he has never been afraid to show that love. Where some men shy away from visible and physical affection, my father never has; he will hold my hand, swoop me up in bear hugs, kiss me goodnight, and tell me he loves me every chance that he gets. I was able to find a loving, committed, and amazing husband based on the wonderful model that my father provided for me. whenever my faith is lacking, I think of two men- my father and my grandfather, Wayne Stoffel (whom I will post about another time!). they are both strong and faithful, despite many circumstances in their lives that encouraged otherwise. I remember a phone conversation that I had with my father one time, about 2 or 3 years ago. I was in the car with Brian, listening to K-Love (a christian radio station), and the radio personalities were discussing teenagers and their fragile faith. I immediately called my dad with a revelation. "Dad? I think a lot about how I must be big disappointment to you and mom, but I just thought of something. I have made a lot of bad decisions in my life, like the big one of dropping out of college, but you know what? I am a christian, and that is the most important thing of all. So isn't that something you guys are proud of?" My dad immediately explained how proud he was of me, and reaffirmed what I had just newly discovered: that he has always been proud of me, and that the other things ultimately didn't matter as long as I had a relationship with Christ. He constantly reassures me that he is proud of me. I love my dad more than I can really describe. He has always been there for me. He is exactly what a father should be... and more.


My Best Friend.

It is a little weird to have a best friend who you don't really talk to all that often, but I do. It is hard for me to get close with someone, but this is a girl that I know I can trust with my life. Even at times when I have neglected to call or even write, she has always been there waiting. she never fails to be there when I need her- whether it requires flying across the country to be with me. My best friend is Jenny Perillo.

I met Jenny in 9th grade during Gym. I don't remember exactly how we met, but I think it was along the lines of introducing ourselves (I'm sure she approached me first, since I tend to be painful shy around strangers), and after that, we were pretty much inseparable. Our birthdays were only two days apart, so we shared a birthday party that year. I spent many nights at her house; the last night was spent painting and cleaning the near empty house as I helped their family prepare to move to Texas. I have a VERY poor memory, but most of the time I spent with Jenny I remember quite vividly. I can remember saying goodbye to her in the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club parking lot... clinging onto her as she started to cry, and as she pulled away to get into her parent's car, feeling my own tears stinging my cheeks. I remember her visits. One time she surprised me- Brian waited until the wee hours of the morning for her delayed flight to arrive. My mother had me prepare my bedroom for a pretend "missionary kid" to spend the night (I still don't know how she got me to believe that one!). About 3 or 4 am, I remember a girl jumping on my bed, laughing, as I tried to see through the darkness... it was Jenny! She also flew across country to throw me a bridal shower- then flew back to California where she lived, drove her car to Texas for her sister, then flew from Texas to be here in time to be my maid of honor for my wedding. She flew back again, this time from her new home in NYC, to throw me a baby shower. I could spend hours detailing everything that Jenny has done for me, but I am at work right now, and I need to clock out eventually... ;)

Jenny is AMAZING. Any one of her friends would say the same. Jenny is the friend that my mother always wished I could emulate (while instead, I chose to more closely identify with my artsy, flighty friends... mediocre grades and all!). It's no wonder... Jenny is the super woman of real life. I wish I could spend more time to describe everything that makes her so wonderful, but it is nearing 9:30, and I need to catch my shuttle ride to the parking lot. I don't really feel like I did her justice here... and I didn't write near smooth as with other entries. But it is time for me to go. So basically... I will sum it up like this: I love you, Jenny!!!! I hope I will someday be able to be a tenth of the friend that you have been for me.