The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that

they can grow separately without growing apart.

~Elisabeth Foley

I am back in Atchison safe & sound after a wonderful break in Des Moines. The drive today was wonderful. I met Lauren in Bethany at Wendy's so I could see her before she went back to Minnesota. It was great---it was just like old times with lots of discussion about life and tons of laughs--I even had a frosty go up my nose from laughing so hard as I was taking a sip and we managed to make the cashier at the gas station laugh too--it's just us. I think I have realized what it means to be part of a friendship because of my friendship with Lauren and Catharine. I got close to the two of them last year--we became 'the 3 blind mice.' When they graduated from BC, I still had a year left and I wondered what would happen to the friendship and fun we shared. I worried---worried that they would be continuing their lives with an adventure and that I would just be a part of the past---how quickly I realized that could never happen with the three of us. We talk, e-mail, and as much as we can, visit one another. We talk as though they still live right downstairs, we have allowed each other to be part of our lives despite the distance, and we know that no matter what--we'll always have 'the 3 blind mice.' I am so proud of both of them--they are both 'dancing with dreams.' Lauren is in Minnesota---she's the theology brain of the group--she is pursuing her Master's of Theology at St. John's University. Catharine is living in KC working as a paralegal at a law firm, and taking night classes to get her MBA, while applying for law school--she's the lawyer of the group. They are both chasing their passions and it makes me so happy to watch them shine. We balance each other out wonderfully--with me being the science nerd we pretty much have our bases covered between the three of us! :) It's so amazing to know that despite the distance or the amount of time between our visits, nothing has changed, if anything I would say we've grown and it means everything to me. I believe I have finally come to know what it really means to be a friend. Thanks Cata & SMore for being constants in my life!! I still miss running downstairs to bust through your door & procrastinate with you---but I AM SO proud of you both. LOVE YOU LOTS, SMac

Picture: The 3 blind mice (or 'the Trinity' as Father Hugh calls us) having some daquiris in their room :)