I loved your hands.

You always made fun of how sweaty/clammy my hands were and I always responded that yours were just really dry. In the hospital, I wanted to hold your hand forever.

I love you.

I'll never forget our matching purple tank-tops, shorts, and Hercules lunches in 2nd grade...or how mom made us line up and take a million pictures by the front door and on the porch swing. Stephanie talked to you about them at the hospital.

You loved pictures of me sleeping with my mouth open. Only heaven knows why and I certainly didn't understand. It annoyed the crap out of me, especially after you put one up on your bulletin board in your new room at Aaron and Cory's house. After going through your most recent photo album, brown suede with a pink flower design embroidered o

n the front, I was tickled that picture among the ones of us. Thanks Bre.

I laughed so hard the day you, Aaron, Cory and I went to Falls

Creek and as we were passing the Christie's Toybox

beside the overpass in Moore you told us the story of how your dad had taken you and one of our friends (Casi, I think?) there and told you to run in and get some food. We guessed he had thought it was a Jack in the Box restaurant. I think I might have peed my pants listening to Cory's hyperventilating laugh. That was the night I accidentally slapped Aaron Lokey's intern in the butt during worship.

I didn't have that I was dating Josh on facebook for more than just a couple of hours before I got

a phone call. Naturally. I love you for being so strong for me.

You always stuck your freezing cold freaking feet under my butt when we sat in the computer room at my Mom and Dad's old house. Then you'd wiggle your toes...naturally. It tickled...haha

Speaking off butts, how about when you told us in cheerleading that you'd always squeeze your butt when you were walking around or bored in class and now your butt was, "hard as a rock...feel it!" I must confess, I still try it out sometimes.

You always pulled your scorpion...and screamed at our freshman fliers. You scared the crap out of our little Sheila...and you were so proud of her with me now that she's grown up and the shining star and leader. Legacy.

How about the time at my parent's old house I was cooking your fried balogna for the first time and when I went back in

to my bedroom for a while to do something, you screamed bloody murder from the kitchen, "It's going to explode!!!" hahaha Who knew something so small could scare such a strong girl?

When I moved out...you came to the DHS office in Chandler with Ginny and brought me my favorite jeans of yours (Even though they were too tight) and a Bass Pro shirt you and Jody had bought me.

When you'd first moved in to Aaron and Cory's house and I was heartbroken about my family someway somehow, we just sat on Betty's old granny couch in the big livingroom when our families had dinner. I just laid in your lap and was sad. I can't remember if I cried silently or not. You played with my hair and we were just together. I remember thinking that night of how long we'd been together and how cool that was.

When you came home to your first Stroud football game since

you left, you asked, "Hold my hand?" You looked so cute in Jen's plaid coat. You were so antsy I could barely keep up with you running to Mrs. Elerick. Ted talked to you at the concession stand and told you, "If you ever need anything...you know our number to call."

When I was dating Jacob and was getting ready in my room for him to come to visit, I kept changing t-shirts. You turned to me and said, "Natalie. He's coming all this way to see you. It doesn't matter what t-shirt you're wearing."

Sugar Plumb Fairy...hahahaha

You and your dad brought me back an orange sticker wallet to match yours when you went to California in 2nd grade

We had matching plastic daisy purses with little silver latches

You loved the song "Just the Two of Us" by Will Smith and knew all the words...and 106.9

You'd always make your dad take us to Sonic after school...and complain because there wasn't a restroom because you were about to pee your pants because you refused even up to high school to use the school bathrooms.

Amber Kay and Kayla would never have been cheerleaders if you hadn't have convinced them in Mrs. Sherwood's room the day of signups at the end of our 8th grade year.

We competed for so long and I'm so glad we stopped. You are magnificent.

You came to my graduation...even though I'm sure it sucked for you...and you looked pretty.

At my graduation party, we sang happy birthday

to you and I still have the picture of you looking annoyed at me. I loved our hug in that moment after.

I miss you, my friend.

Forever.