As I mentioned in my previous blog, I said that I wanted to focus on something that means a lot to me. Many times, we all take our friends for granted. We are truly glad they happen to be a part of our lives, but how often do we really tribute our friends. Over the next couple week I plan on telling you about my friends that mean the world to me.
For this first blog about my friends, I want to tell you about my friend Audrey. Audrey and I met in September 1999 at a student organization meeting at SIU Edwardsville. Audrey was in her first year of pursuing her Masters of Speech Communication degree and I had just transferred to SIUE after getting my Associate degree. About a week after the student organization meeting, I ran into her at St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights, IL. I asked her if she remembered me without telling her my name. She told me later that I freaked her out when I did this.
Audrey and I had some good times while at SIUE. If memory serves me right, we had went to Audrey's parents' house on a Friday evening so we could go to the town-wide garage sale on Saturday morning. We spent all morning together and got back to SIUE around 4:00 PM. She dropped me off at my dorm and then went to her place. By 4:30 PM, we both decided we didn't want to stay where we were, so we decided to make a spontaneous roadtrip to go visit her sister in Decatur, IL.
After graduating SIUE, I had gotten accepted to go to grad school at Grand Valley State in Michigan. Audrey and I decided to make a trip up in May 2002 so we could explore the campus more. The roadtrip to Michigan was so fun...including the random stop at the outlet mall in Holland, and to go see Lake Michigan.
While I was in Michigan, Audrey had an adventure of her own, as she moved to Pennsylvania to attend Penn State for her doctorate. I had the chance to visit her 3 times while she was at Penn State. She introduced me to the Penn State Creamery (fantastic!!), and to Meyer's Dairy. The "Dairy" actually had milk in glass bottles, which I had not seen ever.
Audrey and I now live in the same state. We both work for universities, but have not seen each other much over the past 2 years because of our schedules. However, we talk at least 2-3 times a week, or more. There are nights where we talk for so long that one of us ends up falling asleep while talking on the phone (This is typically me). Last night, she called me with some great news. Yesterday afternoon, she became a homeowner. It will be great to go visit her in her new digs, even though she has only visited me once and I have been to her place at least 3 times. :-) I actually prefer to drive over to see her because there's more to do than there is here in Evansville.
If you read this Audrey, I want to let you know that I value the advice you give me about financial stability, even though I haven't used all of your advice. You still keep me in check with reality and I truly am glad that you are someone I call a friend. I look forward to the many years of friendship we have ahead and the great times to come (which may include diet coke and vanilla rum)!!
Until I post Chapter 2, value the friendships you have and just be...
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