Alissa, Ashlyn and Alayna
2021
These three.
We've been best friends for a long time now.
How long, you may ask? The beauty with the luscious long blonde locks was an infant.
My friendship started with Alissa, one of my dearest and oldest friends. Even though the Golden Tigers and the Blue Rockets (our opposing soccer teams) played against each other. The colors on our jersey didn't stop us from being fast friends. We've always just loved and accepted the other, flaws and all. Neither of us is going anywhere. And that's a really nice, secure feeling. Like a warm blanket. I love Alissa so much.
We always all four played together. But it is so sweet that I now have individual relationships with all three. I easily call each one my best girl. They were my first models with my little pink Kodak when I was twelve.
This is my life. The memories, the tears, the growth, the hours of laughter and adventures.
Being handed that pink rose at graduation still makes me cry.
Ashlyn sitting with me when I got my could-be-cancer news (we appear to be in the clear, praise God, don't freak).
Screaming pop songs at the top of our lungs driving down the highway with Layna after we shot our first wedding together. Or maybe getting out of the car that one night and dancing in the headlights blasting Jake Scott or something.
Diving into the river in the high-summer sun and talking boys on our mermaid rock.
Anatomy and Physiology dissections. And the project's funeral afterwards.
Sitting in the car in our formal gowns surrounded by flashing emergency lights as your mother sat beside a dying man on the road who wrecked his bike.
New Years Eve jam sessions and four-part harmony.
Dying of laughter at midnight in her kitchen as pre-teen Alissa and I eat honey and share a bizarre story about dolphins. We couldn't breath - I don't think I've ever laughed so hard.
And a million more memories that make me love them.
My favorite is just sitting on alternate bedroom floors and sharing life.
So Alissa, Ashlyn and Alayna...
Thanks for loving me so well. Thanks for the lifetime of laughter. Thanks for the sisterhood. I'm so grateful to Jesus for you and will be for as long as I live.
You are so known and loved for so long now. Here's to the rest of our lives. Old friends for the win.
Love, Sarah
P. S.
Lovely tribute😘