that kind of friend

chari is that kind of friend.
you know the one.
that you had a connection with from the moment you met.
and you can go months without talking and pick back up right where you left off.
where you have to say very few words and they just KNOW.
but you could also talk forever and still have so much to say.

chari and i met in the bathroom between our 2 suites freshman year in college.
we were both crying over our high school boyfriends that we were sure we were going to marry but had broken up with.
we bonded instantly.
ended up being roommates later...and suitemates...did ROTC together {tromping through the woods in fatigues with her making jokes of the "real" ROTC guys that were taking it all WAY too seriously is one of my greatest memories.}

in some ways we are very different:
i'm always early::she makes an entrance
i'm serious::she's so fun
i wear very few accessories::she wears the funnest accessories and can pull it all off!

but the similarities are many...and go way deeper:
we both love diet coke. and running. and old navy. and laughing. and crafting.
{i'm getting to the deeper part...be patient :-)}
we both love our husbands.
and children.
and Lord.
and we both seek to live out our faith in REAL ways...
we desire more for ourselves and families and are not willing to settle for mediocre.

chari has been such a gift to me.
she challenges me to be a little more crazy. and not so serious.
she is one of those few people that i can truly be honest with...and i really don't have to clean my house for...and she loves me just as much no matter what.

she lives hours away now...we only see each other a couple times a year {we get to spend a week at the beach together every fall!!}
and we were able to meet for dinner last night.
it was wonderful.
can't wait til next time, my friend!