delaney and olivia

Tonight, I was talking to a friend about my leaving on this YWAM thing. And I asked her to promise me one thing. That no matter if we could keep up with each other while I'm gone or not, whenever I got back, I wanted to pick up right where we left off.

When I think about the friends I have in my life, I have a handful that I would trust with anything. But there are two that I know are going to be with me for a very long time. Through anything.

First, the friend I've had the longest, my honey, Delaney Aydel. We've probably gone through the most together. And we have DEFINITELY had our ups and downs. If anything, our relationship can be pretty volatile, but the one thing that keeps us going no matter what, is we are each-other's other half. As much as Delaney can make me want to punch a wall, and I'm sure I have the same effect on her sometimes, I don't know what I would do without her. And we're not always like that. One night she and I went gallivanting all across Snoqualmie, and it was probably the best time I'd ever had with a friend. We were engulfed in the power of God and His beauty, and as friends, it just made our relationship stronger. As different as we are, and as much as we can drive each other insane, God is the common thread in our relationship that I know pulls us through every high and low. And I know Delaney is going to be a big part of my life, forever.

My other friend is more new, and is the one I was talking to tonight. That would be Olivia. (I don't have very many pictures of the two of us together, but I think this is a stunning capture of how gorgeous she is :) Every time I talk to Olivia, it's just so easy. I feel like I'm talking to a friend I've known forever, and who has known me forever. And even though we don't, sometimes when we talk it's like we already know everything about each other. I know that the friendship that we've found in each other is going to live on for a very long time. When I first met Olivia, I figured she was wayyyy beyond me for a friendship. She floated around like a bird with her long beautiful orange/blonde hair, and seemed to be everything I wasn't. Sweet, innocent, soft spoken, secure, independent, generous, gentle, and kind. But as I finally got to know her, I found that we are actually more alike than I thought. She was also strong, lively, outgoing, self-confidant, loving, empathetic, strange, and silly. We are very different, and yet, very similar people. She's not someone that I feel like I'm going to lose if I don't talk to her for days, weeks, months, or even years. I know she's going to be someone who will be in my life for the long run.

Delaney and Olivia aren't my best friends. I actually don't really have a best friend of any kind. But on the note of who I can see still being in my life a few years down the road, I can say with confidence that I know they will be there. And I'm so thankful for the both of them and the independent, yet life changing rolls they've had in my life.