One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the gift of friendship. Throughout the years God has gifted me with wonderful friends. My freshman year of college I met two of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I can no longer imagine going through life and Maryelle and Amanda not be there to experience it with me. I am truly thankful for these two beautiful girls who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. With that said I want to dedicate this letter to Maryelle. Happy Birthday!
Maryelle you are beautiful, smart, sweet, sassy, loving, honest, a spirit filled woman of God, but most of all my best friend. You are such a blessing not only to me but to those around you. The impact you have made in my life is so great and I cannot thank you enough for that. I can’t believe that I’ve only known you for seven years because it feels like a lifetime. I want to thank you for are always be honest and straightforward with me.
Maryelle, I love how we can laugh for hours and talk about anything. I love how you are always quick to listen and slow to answer but when you do answer it is exactly what I need to hear. I love that Christ is the center of your life and that the love of Christ oozes out of you. I love how we can be in the same room, be completely silent and it still be comfortable. I love how our friendship was never forced and just happened naturally. To be honest, I really don’t remember when we became friends, it just happened.
It’s crazy to think back to 2006, in Lakeland, Fl about to start my freshman year of college and I was so scared. I had flown from Massachusetts freaking out thinking I wasn’t going to have anyone in Florida. Then I met you and your family. Maryelle, you not only gave me friendship but family. You have no idea how much your family means to me and my parents. It was a great relief for my parents knowing that even though they were 2,000 miles away I had a family in Florida to take care of me and love on me. Your mom has had such a wonderful impact on my life and I am forever grateful for her and honored to call her Momma V.
Maryelle, Thank you for encouraging me to go on this crazy adventure. God has taught me so much in these last seven months and it has been a true honor to serve the people I have met in the various countries. Thank you for yelling at me in Delaware and telling me to get over the woe is me act and do what God has placed in my heart. Seriously, it was that conversation that made me want more out of life, made me act and follow the plan God has set before me. Maryelle, I cannot thank you enough for all your support. Thank you for your financial support, for your prayers, and for your love. As I type this letter and think about the last seven years, tears of joy fill my eyes knowing that you have been such a big part of my life. All of our laughs, disagreements, all of our tears, and crazy God moments truly mean the world to me.
Maryelle, know that you are a BLESSING, VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST, SPECIAL, BEAUTIFUL, BOLD, TRUTHFUL, HUMBLE, OBEDIENT, GIVING, FUNNY and so much more. Know that you are more than a best friend to me you are my sister.
Love you Chica
