Thursday, December 4, 2008

My BEST Friend, a birthday wish.

Yesterday was my Best Friend Karen's 35th birthday. We celebrated at our favorite place to have dinner(remember this post).



I can't even begin to describe with words how important Karen's friendship is to me. We have been friends for over 25 years...yup, you read that right 25 years. We both started Elementary School together in Kindergarten. We have been inseparable since middle school. We have shared every major and not so major life event with each other. Karen is my "person". She is the one I tell everything too, the one who shares every happy moment with me and every not so happy moment with me. The BEST part in all this.....she lives across the street from me. Isn't this every little girls dream? Well it came true. About 7 years ago when our neighborhood was in the works of being built, we both decided to buy houses in this neighborhood. It was 5 minutes away from where we both grew up and a perfect place to raise a family. When Dan and I chose our lot for our new home, there were only 12 lots left. The best lot was right across the street from the one Karen and Jeff picked. It is WONDERFUL to have your Best Friend across the street.



More friend facts~ We both share December birthdays. We were born exactly 2 weeks apart. We are both Nurses. We work for the same Cardiology practice. We drive the same Mini-Van. We have so much history and so much in common. But for as much as were are the "same" we are also different. I think our different qualities compliment each other and bring wonderful things to our friendship.



I am so thankful for our amazing friendship. It means more to me than I could ever tell you.



Dear Karen, I hope you had a wonderful Birthday. We have shared so much together over the past 25 plus years. It feels like yesterday that we were 15 years old chasing boys! We have come along way. You are my family. I love you! Jen
A few fun photos to share..


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How CRAZY is this picture??? We really thought we were so cute! Ready for a night out on the boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ. Jen and Karen, age 15, summer of 1989


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Karen and Jen age 21, summer of 1995


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Our 30th birthday party Jen and Karen, Dec 2003

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Our trip to Disney Karen and Jen with Minnie, Feb 2007


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Work Christmas Party Dec 2007

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St Patrick Day Neighborhood Party March 2008

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Karen on her 35th birthday

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Mom-Mom Maureen (Karen's Mom), Aunt Karen, and Katie

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Karen, Frankie, and Jen......I know this post is not about me but can I say how much I hate myself in this photo? I only posted it because I needed to add it to the long list of pictures of us. Our work Christmas party is tomorrow night and I already told Karen we need a retake!

13 comments:

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What a wonderful tribute to your best friend!! How great that you two have remained so close over the years.....and how much fun that you live across the street form one another!

OMG!!! That first picture is hilarious....I have a lot of photos from that era....the same sprial curled long hair and BIG bangs....and how about the jeans...they look like the Z Cavarrichi's...how funny!!

So, it sounds like someone else will be turning 35 very soon....my guess is Dec 18th...am I right?

Have a great day:)

Lisa

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I almost forgot....Happy 35th Birthday Karen!!!

Jboo said...

Happy birthday to your friend!! What a great post and how lucky you are to have your best friend so close by you! Love your photos -- didn't think it was possible to look even better as you get older, but you two sure do! Have fun at your office party!

Janet

Laura said...

What a great post and a blessing to have someone so close. Happy Birthday Karen. I think I had those same jeans in 89.

Laura

Kate said...

Happy Birthday Karen!!! YOu all are making me feel old!!

Okay...can I say how very much I LOVE that first photo...I laughed only because I would have fit right in with you all. Seriously...what were we thinking...and more importantly....our parents were right...we really did look silly!!!

Hope you have a great party tomorrow night...can't wait to hear all about it!!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I had the same 89 hair! LOL Great post! Happy Birthday Karen!

Sue said...

You East Coast girls could really get your hair up there!!!!

What a blessing to have a friend that close for so many years.

Sue

Ivy Shaffer said...

HOW NICE OF YOU TO CELEBRATE YOUR BEST FRIENDS BIRTHDAY WITH THOSE GREAT MEMORIES.

I FORGOT TO TELL YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, I'D LIKE TO KNOW YOU MORE SO GUESS WHAT, I'M TAGGING YOU! ACTUALLY A FUN AND EASY ONE, DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

HUGS,

IVY

Dawn said...

Happy Birthday! What a special friendship you have. That's wonderful.

And, WOW, I thought I had big hair in the 80's. Mine wouldn't even touch yours, LOL!

fleur de lis cottage said...

What a fantastic post. I love all the pictures and we all had big hair in the 80's. In fact, when I was in Guanzhou last year, I was sporting some 80's hair...every time I stepped outside in that humidity my hair inflated. lol

a Tonggu Momma said...

I cannot believe that eighties hair. I'm sorry... I know I should totally be focusing on your sweet post about your best friend... but I can't seem to move past the eighties hair. LOL.

Ivy Shaffer said...

Hi Jen,
The instructions for the annoying Tag will be up on my site shortly. It only took me a month to finish! I didn't know how to create links, so thanks to Krisiti I finally did it.

Ivy

karrock said...

Boy oh boy ~ Gina & Laura were right ~ you certainly had me in tears!!! That was so sweet!!! I am so lucky to have you in my life ~ I don't know what I would do without you!!! Let me just remind everyone ~ we are not a couple ~ LOL!!! Thanks Jen & Happy Birthday to my best friend!!!