Ode to Shelly & Mark

I've known Shelly since we were in middle school.

She wouldn't let me read her horoscope out of Teen People;

she wasn't interested, she said. And she didn't believe in those things.

I thought that was strange.

But I was friends with her anyway.

Things are just like that in middle school.

In high school, Shelly came to camp with me.

She was the only Christian I knew and the only one I knew who'd be willing to suffer through an awful week of youth group activities and maybe enjoy it. Maybe help it not be so bad.

That week changed my life.

And Shelly became my best friend.

We did high school together.

We took car rides in her Bronco and talked about boys we liked.

We struggled through junior year prom season together.

(Those memories are still so vivid)

We dominated Sinkler's english class with Lance & Cullen.

We talked about God.

We discussed friendship and sisterhood.

We lounged on beach chairs in Shelly's driveway.

And even though she was never so sure about my high school boyfriend,

she still empathized with me and encouraged me when we broke up.

After graduation, it was a tearful goodbye.

I remember one night in college,

on the floor of my freshman year dorm,

down on my knees in front of the mirror,

crying because my heart hurt so badly to be far from her.

Nine years later.

Shelly and I have seen each other through

moves,

jobs,

apartments,

boyfriends,

boys we just call friends,

deaths of friends,

struggles with God,

anger,

joy,

impatience,

and lots and lots of love.

And then a big love:

Mark.

Mark really loves Shelly.

Shelly really loves Mark.

And this Saturday, I get the privilege of standing beside her

supporting her

encouraging her

and witnessing a covenant between my best friend and her big love.

This is so cool.

God bless you both.

(and let's go camping this summer, ok?)