My Dearest C-Squad,
It’s been one year exactly since we officially met. Do you remember that day? Honestly, I don’t remember much about it, besides a whole lot of purple and a tiny hint of orange.
In light of our one year Friendiversary, I’ve decided to play one of our favorite games… First Impressions! So in no particular order, to the best of my ability, here are some impressions or memories that stick out from training camp. This feels a bit like signing all your high school yearbooks, but the feeler in me is on fire right now, and I want to celebrate you all. Please read this with every bit of light-hearted sarcasm and 20/20 hindsight with which it is being written. Please don’t be offended if we don’t have a buddy picture. And know that I see you all differently, because you have done so much for me. The Lord has changed how I see people because of and through you all.
Stacie – our Friendiversary was actually yesterday (October 11th). Remember when you offended a large chunk of our former squad in one fell swoop. “Hey ya’ll, shouldn’t we new C-Squaders stay in one room?!” I’m glad you did. I can’t even begin to list my training camp memories of you because there are far too many. You’ve been by my side since before the very beginning, and I will never stop thanking The Lord for that.
Lacey – I also met you on the 11th. You thought I hated you. I didn’t at all. Now we are twins, purple hair and everything. Love you, Fred!
Miranda – You were quiet. So was I. You said you were a vegetarian and I felt terrible for you, knowing what was ahead. So glad we’ve both opened up, that you can eat mystery Africa meat, and that I got to spend Mozambique with you!
Shannon – My first memory of you is actually from A-Squad, and how disappointed I was that someone from High Point joined the squad 2 days after I moved away from Kernersville! Glad that hasn’t stopped us from being friends. You are truly one of the sweetest and most caring people I have the pleasure of knowing.
Caitlin – Oh my sweet Catalinda! Remember how we never spoke at training camp until they put us on a team together and we hated it? Our friendship is one we have fought for, but that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Laura – Same Same but Different. I really just didn’t like you. And you didn’t like me. So glad we have talked about it, can laugh about it, and that I love you so so dearly now.
Bre – We actually texted a little before training camp. Then I never spoke to you. Oops.
Jason – I drove you to training camp. You had a giant purple Mohawk. We told our life stories. We went to Wal-Mart to find shoes for you and they literally had no flip flops. I’m still looking for our photo on People of Walmart, because who goes out with a purple Mohawk or a purple tutu? Answer: We do.
Matthew – I asked you 147 questions. You asked me 2. Friends for life.
Kimberly – You helped me ask Mateo 147 questions. You walked with me when I had an asthma attack on running day. You wore your hood all week. I’m sure now that you were just freezing, but I’m glad I’ve gotten to see your sassy-side and top messy bun come out!
Robyn – Magic Carpet Challenge. Canadian Thanksgiving. Endless laughter.
Wendy – Your tent was near mine in one of the tent cities, and one day you said “Oh, you can blow this air mattress thing up?!” Now, after many months of waiting, we’ve been teammates and adventure buddies, and you’ve successfully learned how to use your “self-inflating” sleeping pad.
Courtney – How is it I’ve come to love you so much and I don’t have a single memory of you from training camp? I know you switched from B-Squad but after that….nada.
Heidi — ………This………..
Dillon – Our first conversation involved me saying, “Where are you from? Keep talking. You sound like home.” I’m creepy. You also tried to teach me the technical words for frisbee throws (I’m still lucky if I manage not to hit the ground).
And let us never forget curry chicken day, because goodness knows the image of you and Arden scraping rice off the plate with chicken bones, beards fully of curry, will haunt me until the day I die.
Nathan – The night you switched squads, I felt so bad for you. But now that you’re my brother/Colorado tour guide, I’ve decided to just remember you playing Amazing Grace on the trumpet.
Michelle Ford – You were a Bills fan. So I knew you must be at least a little brave and have a heart for lost causes. Thanks for all those paper towels when I tried to slice my finger off!
Jinnae – Cook your own meal night. You, me, and a crap ton of raw chicken (until I tried to slice my finger off). I knew then we had a friendship in the making.
KelsAAAAY – You had dreads. You didn’t talk to people. I didn’t talk to people. Therefore we didn’t talk. Dang, we dumb.
Rita – We ate several meals together, and I called you a liar when you told me your age. Still don’t believe you. Also, tent neighborhood neighbors and magic carpet day!
Chelsea – Another B-Squad convert. Apparently I wasn’t super invested in you all.
Jacob – You built a lot of fires and played a lot of cello. What’s your name, again?
Cody – How do I feel about Chacos? No one knows more than you.
Tara – Lose the Luggage night. You, me, and Lacey in a tent, spooning and snuggling for warmth under one sleeping bag.
Kori – I remember specifically thinking “I’m going to be on a team with her one day.” I don’t know why I thought it, but I knew it, and thought it several more times before Bulgaria. Blessed to have a friendship that both challenges and strengthens me.
Nicole – Hair braids. When I think of you at training camp I think of hair braids.
Margaret – you were stunning, very poised, though you also had a ridiculously small tent. We didn’t spend much time together until we were put on the same team (remember how excited we both were…not). I am so thankful for redemption in friendships. You have taught me so much, and I’m incredibly thankful for each and every day I have with you.
Beth – I was incredibly intimidated by you.
Carly – You told me you saw strength in me. I did not believe you. But you saw something in me that I could not see. You have continued to not only see these things but call them out in me. You are a mouthpiece for The Lord, coated in a bubbly personality and a sweet smile.
Heather – We played a lot of frisbee together…well in a big group.
Belle – Again, I did not believe your age. You were (and are) full of fire.
Tony – You were part of our tent neighborhood. I remember this because you had a GIANT TENT. And I know we had many interactions prior to this, but I learned more about you whilst playing C-Squad ninja than I could have in any other situation.
Arden – Hill races, drinking dirt salt coffee stirred with a stick, curry beard day (still, ew). Now that I think about it, we were around each other quite a bit at training camp, but I didn’t really “meet you” until magic carpet day, when we were basically forced into each others immediate presence.
Also, I found this picture, and instantly realize how interested we both were in our friendship. Yikes.
Christina – Tent neighborhood and Texas. You were loud and full of laughter. I knew instantly I wanted to be your friend. Good thing, too, because I’d consider you a pretty important person, nowadays.
Andrea – Bold, beautiful, and let’s be honest, loud. You were also in my little tent village, and I knew I could spend a year around someone who laughed that often.
Stephanie – We didn’t really talk, but I remember thinking you looked like a kind person with a beautiful and passionate soul. So excited I’ve gotten to see both of those virtues, plus the many more you carry.
Kelly – Bright purple wig and a whole lot of spunk. Yes, please!
Alyson – Another victim of us both being quiet people. I am astounded how The Lord has used our friendship in my life this year and all of the wisdom you have given me. I know you are a person I will be able to turn to on the worst day.
Jayce – I remember talking a lot about photography and Canada. Confession: I know nothing about either of those things.
Daniel – You were from Kentucky, so I automatically assumed you would be cooler than you are. Then I found out you weren’t really a UK fan and the truth was out. Good thing it hasn’t stopped me from becoming your favorite person on C-Squad.
Needless to say, first impressions are not my strong point. I’m sure that the few of you who remember me from training camp (yay extreme introversion) have similarly ridiculous first impressions of me, as well. But I can stand here, exactly a year later, and truthfully say that I do not regret meeting or doing this crazy World Race thing with a single one of you. God has used you to teach me, call me to greatness, and show me what love is. You have all, each in your own way, changed me. You have made me angry. You have made me laugh. You have made me cry. You have taught me. You have challenged me. You have seen me at my very best and my very very worst. As we near the end of this ridiculous journey, know that God has used you. If He has used me in any one of your lives in the smallest fraction of the way He has used you, I will consider our friendship a success.
Mushy part over.
Now enjoy some lovely pictures from training camp, where we are purple, pale,and perfect strangers, to now, where we are just one big awkward family.
Happy One Year Friendiversary, C-Squad.
