The Melting Pot

Last night I went out a celebrated the birthday of a very special friend. Her birthday party was quite a testament to the amazing woman and friend that she is. It really had me thinking.

I always go to Ty with my friendships. He is an excellent judge of character and also always seems to know how someone with affect me. Every person that he has as a close friend (and he makes friends easily and everywhere) is an amazing man of character. He has encouraged me before to keep certain people at arms length or even to just "love that person from afar".  Anyway, he too loves Jennifer.

She specifically stated a "grown up girls only" (no kids and no men) gathering. Having three kids of her own I know she had been really looking forward to this night! It's been about five years since I last had a "girls' night out" so I shall admit I was nervous and thought I wouldn't have much to say or really anyone to talk to, but I love Jennifer and thought I would "take one for the team" Plus, my husband practically insisted I needed it. He happily watched the kids for the evening. I am so glad I went! It was an awesome night.

The shindig took place at The Melting Pot. Yum! She had reserved an entire room for her party. I arrived a little early and helped her set up (which also meant I got first dibs on her little party favors! hehe) At one point she went around the room (which was full!) and told everyone how she met us and what she loved about each one of us. When she came to me one of the things she exclaimed was "I REALLY wanted to be your friend!!" I thought this was quite cute :) Afterwards we all went around saying what we loved about her. Nearly everyone had tears in their eyes when giving their soulful, loving.. toasts? I was blown away. She had managed to touch all these women's lives with her hospitality, honesty, ability to have fun, loyalty, grace, love of Jesus, and her all around spirit. On top of all that, she's gorgeous. It's disgusting really.

The first time I met her was about a year ago. She actually threw herself into my life. Every time I saw her she would practically run up to me and genuinely and excitedly ask me "how is everything?!" if my quick short answer didn't suffice she would be more specific "How is your husband?" "How are the girls?" "How is your cute little boy?" "What have you been doing?" "You look like you've lost weight! (one of my favorites)" Eventually she just had verbal diarrhea and poured her life's story out to me. I loved her even more for it. This woman forced me to become friends with her. Which is good! Having three kids really keeps you busy. I'm not a seeker. It's hard for me to nurture a new friendship when you don't have the time or energy. It can be days before I get a moment to call a friend. I have been blessed with few friends who if I don't talk to for a while it doesn't matter, we can pick with where we left the next time we get together and it's like the time in between never happened. I recently had someone try to make me feel like I was a bad friend or a terrible person because I couldn't get into a meaningful conversations with her daily. We just need different things. And that's OK.

Everyone that comes into your life if only for a season will impact you in some way. She has managed to impact all these women in such a positive way. Earlier that day she and I were talking about friendships and how to be a good friend. She quoted Abraham Lincoln to me, "If you look for the bad in people... you will surely find it". I am so fortunate to have friends like Jennifer.

But it got me thinking, what would all my closest friends say about me? How about you? If all your closest friends were in a room together what would they say about you?