My Katie-kates

For those of you who don't know, this is my Katie.

We met in Missouri when we worked at Mardel together (where this ridiculous picture was taken). I never thought that Katie and I would be friends...she used to walk by my desk in the morning with her scowly face on (yeah, she's not a morning person). I used to think she didn't like me. We started spending time together when I found out she lived down the street from me and didn't have a washer and dryer. So every Thursday evening, Katie would come to my house and do laundry while we watched Survivor. We got to know each other better and better over those weeks. Soon, it would change into dinner at our house, too, before Survivor came on. I always looked forward to Thursdays.

As time went on, we both moved on to different jobs, and both of us moved (we ended up living about a half an hour away from each other. Still Katie would come on Thursdays for dinner and Survivor. We got to be better and better friends, not only sharing our love of Jesus, but also sharing our love of bacon and Reese's peanut butter cups, and laughing hysterically until we cry.

About two and a half years ago, my family moved to Virginia...taking me far away from my Katie and our fun Thursday nights. But soon after that, Katie moved to London for her job. Now it was only once a month or so that we could even talk on the phone.

Thankfully, my hubby was so gracious to allow me to go visit Katie in London. We had such a great time...honestly, one of the best times in my life. We visited all of the sites. Not only did I get to go to London, but Katie surprised me for our birthdays and took me to....

PARIS!!!!!

That trip in itself is a whole other story...Paris in a day. I should write a book! Riding on the Eurostar in the chunnel, eating raw hamburgers, climbing all of the steps in the Eiffel Tower, seeing the Louvre, climbing more steps (and throwing a fit about it) in Monmarte, and so much more...

Anyway, fast-forward to this past December...Katie got married to a wonderful man named Yvan, and he took her away to his home in Mauritius...an island off the coast of Madagascar out in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

I miss her so much! I miss not being able to pick up the phone and call. Even Skyping is difficult because of the time difference. But, I know it has to be much harder for her...culture changes, missing family and friends.

I've been living in Virginia for two and a half years, and I have not found a friend like my Katie...and I don't think I ever will.

Katie-kates, I love you and miss you. I thank God for giving me a friend like you.