The best kind of friend

Have you ever met a new friend and immediately just clicked? Or talked to someone and felt as if you knew them all your life? I felt that way when I met my dear friend, KatyaR. We met a few years ago when she started working at the desk across the room from mine, and I liked her instantly. One day she brought in a sock that she was knitting and I was intrigued. She started trying to teach me how to knit but I was too impatient and gave up. About a year went by and she started knitting the cutest little layette set for an expecting coworker. I begged her to teach me again, and thus began my obsession with knitting. She has even been very patient at teaching me how to spin, further enabling my fiber art pursuits.

She has been like the older sister that I always wanted and never had. She’s always supportive, enabling (in a good way), and there when I need her. She was present for the birth of Kelsey and I was extremely honored to share that experience with her. She is wonderful with Braden, and more patient than most people would be around a child of his, ahem, activity level and attention span. He even started calling her Aunt without any prompting from anyone. If my kid loves her enough to include her in the family, she must be a good person!

I also credit Katya with awakening my inner politico. Before I met her I was content to just vote the way my parents always did. I was a sheep, never really giving any thought to what my own beliefs were when it came to choosing someone to run my city, state, or country. Now I have very strong opinions about issues and I vote for the candidate who feels the same way I do, which is usually in opposition of my parents. And now I don’t mind sharing/debating my views with my family and friends. While this is not necessarily something my parents are happy about, I think it’s wonderful.

So why am I telling you about this? Today is Katya’s birthday! And not just any birthday, but a special birthday (translation: a milestone birthday that I will not reveal in fear that she will disown me). Go over to her blog and show her some love!

And to Katya, I love ya, girl! I really couldn’t ask for a better friend.