For my cube.

Dear Emily,

I can't remember how we met. In my created memories, I've decided I probably loaned you a book in elementary school. I remember you liked purple then, and we read the same stories, and that you always wore dresses for school picture day. We took piano lessons from the same teacher, and in middle school you took up band. I was always jealous of your musical talent.

In the seventh grade you narrated the school play. You did a really lovely job. I don't think I ever told you that. There are so many things you've done well through the years that I've forgotten to tell you about.

In high school you were able to maintain your faith, your gpa, and your friendships. Even when the world stopped turning for you. Your strength gave me strength. Because you could keep going after your mother's death, I was able to keep going through my own dark times.

I was bereft when you left for college. I was used to not seeing you regularly, but I liked the comfortable tethered feeling of having you in town. I was terrified that college would take you away forever. Instead, we learned to be friends from a distance. We could still call, we could still write, we could still visit.

Then after you graduated, you came home to Florida. It was so much fun to watch you find yourself and figure out what you wanted to do with your life. I enjoyed every night we sang karaoke in my car, every drink we had in crappy bars, every story I got to hear about your intense jobs and your crazy activities. It was exciting to have you home, and fabulous to be part of your everyday world again.

And finally, one day, you fell in love with the right guy, and you got married, and moved away, and had a baby. And I am so proud of you and happy for you that you have such a wonderful, beautiful life! Can you believe how magical your world has become?

Today, dear friend, you turn twenty seven. I know this because our birthdays are (as always) one week apart. Since I had to turn 27 last week, it is now your turn. So far 27 is not terrible, so don't be too concerned.

On this, your twenty-seventh birthday, I want you to know that I'm thinking about you from across the country and I'm sending you all the birthday wishes the wind can hold:

I wish for you happy moments today that you can cherish tomorrow. I wish for you peace with the decisions you've made along the way that have gotten you to this special place. I wish for you the love of those dearest to you. I wish for you mental sunshine, even if it's overcast all day in Seattle. I wish for you strength to make it through another year of trying times, and comfort in knowing that trying times are temporary. I wish for you patience, as Parker continues to grow and finds new ways to test his boundaries. I wish for you joy in each day, whatever form that joy comes in. I wish you friends to support you. I wish you music to dance to. I wish you wisdom to guide you.

You are special, dearheart. Never forget how precious you are.

Happy Birthday,

Kim