2.3 friends?!

There was a study done recently on the true number of friends people have. Of course, in true "me" fashion, I can't find anything about this study anywhere online, but I swear, it exists. Essentially the study claims that each person has 2.3 friends who they could count on in a time of trouble. ("But wait! What about the 987 friends I have on Facebook!?!?")

I am incredibly lucky, I have more than a handful of friends I can count on for anything, big or small. Today though, as it is a dear friend's birthday, I've spent the day thinking about two special ladies in particular. They are the kinds of friends you simply could never replace. Those friends that people have in movies but don't really exist in real life.

Two years ago on a weekday in November I heard some commotion in our hallway, followed by a knock at the door. And what did I find?? A big white bear and a lot of laughter. My friend had driven from Chicago out to Ithaca, picked up our other friend, driven out to Syracuse, donned a bear costume, and surprised me in honor of our birthdays (2 in November, 1 in January).

A year ago I got a call from my husband asking how much longer I'd be at my office for. When I did eventually leave I found two ladies donned in white sheets (it was supposed to be a "bridal" thing), standing in the middle of the parking lot holding a cake with candles (trying desperately to stay lit in the wind) and my favorite Thai food from Ithaca. It was my ladies again, having made the trip from Chicago to Ithaca to Syracuse, just so the three of us could spend a few hours together in honor of our birthdays. 

You couldn't dream up better friends. So on my darling friend's birthday, I hope she knows just how much I love and appreciate her - <3