Ayala

Summer– 

I am wishing you the happiest of birthdays this year. In all our years of friendship, I have always been grateful for having such an inspiring and adventurous human in my life. When we first met, I had no idea then how important you would be to me. We have experienced so many things together and your friendship has helped me through so much. There is no way I would be where I am today without you in my life. You are more than a friend, you are a sister. Every day, I think of our various shenanigans and I miss doing things (and doing nothing) with you, but I know that no matter where either of us lives, or what is going on in our lives, we have each other. I hope this next year is full of memories, happiness, and adventure (in our own lives and in each other’s). Thank you for being the greatest friend anyone could ask for and for putting up with me all these years. ^_^ You are going to continue to accomplish so many amazing things and I can’t wait to continue to celebrate with you in the years and moments to come, from your first video game to your first trip to South Korea and Japan to our first puppy playdate ;).  Thank you for being everything you are. The world is a more beautiful place with you in it.  <3

Here’s to celebrating firsts…

Holding Trish’s newborn baby, Drew, for the first time:

Convincing Linda to read her first manga:

First faculty ID cards:

First anime conventions together:

And first conference presentations:

Here’s to always discovering both inspiring and silly books together…

Here’s to always finding nature to explore together…

Here’s to celebrating halloween (among other holidays)…

Here’s to celebrating true love…

Here’s to capturing goofy moments, flipped each other off, and laughing too hard in public…

And here is to always finding each other, no matter where we are living…