Dearest B

Dear beautiful B,

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY my gorgeous friend! It was so wonderful to hear your voice today, but made me miss you even more. But since you spent the entirety of our brief call praising me and my adventures, crying "lies lies lies" when I tried to tell you how truly fabulous you are, I'm going to break it down for you:

I remember when I first heard about you - yes, your well-deserved but ridiculous reputation preceded you! A friend of mine at Youth Central talked about an amazing, over-achieving friend at Oaktree who, at 19, was already Vic SD, among other equally incredible feats. Already I was envious, and I knew then that I wanted to meet you. (OMG WHAT A STALKER.)

Little did I know I would soon have the chance - I saw your friendly, fun-loving, encouraging, enthusiastic, charismatic personality firsthand on the Roadtrip, and knew for certain that you were someone I wanted to count as a friend (although I had yet to be officially introduced.) But I'll admit I was intimidated by your awesomeness, and never dreamed that we would ever mix in the same, over-achieving circles.

Luck was on my side; shortly after joining the Oaktree admin team, and being decidedly overwhelmed by the amount of people my age OR YOUNGER excessively succeeding at life, I was delighted and relieved to discover a down to earth, funny, smart, charming, witty, excitable kindred spirit - you. The tipping point that secured our friendship was NC, when I discovered the dept of your generosity (endless) and the fact that you are so thoughtful, it's second nature for you to insist (not offer, insist!) on helping someone.

Over the past year we've had the summer hanging out in the office, impromptu sleepovers, uni dates, many a gossip session, shared much glee and gossip girl fangirly joy, despaired over boys, and endlessly planned our futures. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate the strength of your support, especially during the stress of LBL. You truly have been something of a mother for me at OT, always ready with a hug, bot to mention making sure I'm eating, sleeping, and taking time off (while of course not doing any of these things because you are Super Woman.) Even while I'm away, you feed my optimism, confidence and dreams with your utterly misguided faith in my abilities.

You call yourself a cynic but I know that's not true, because what drives you is knowing that you can - and will - make a difference and change things for the better. You believe the best in me, and see great things for me, because you see them for yourself (as you sure) - your conviction is motivating and flattering. One of the things I admire most about you is your honesty and your take-no-bullshit attitude (not only because it provides highly amusing commentaries on life.) I know that - wherever your ambition and hard work take you, you're going to shape the world for the better. I have huge hope for the future this world, because you are in it.

And don't you DARE tell me I'm wrong or lying (would I lie to you B? That's just offensive) because you're in massive denial about what an incredible person you are, and I'm going to help you overcome this :)

TRUE STORY.

Happy birthday B. I mean every word, and I'm so grateful, lucky and proud to have you as a friend.

xo

JAG