A story about a friend (who just so happens to be celebrating a birthday)

3 years ago, I met a sweet, young, married lady named Nicole. Matt & I immediately bonded with her & her hubby, Carson. Before we knew it, we were spending every weekend with those 2.

Wake-Stanford Game. Winston-Salem. September 2009.

We went on adventures together....

Brookfield Zoo. December 2007.

We had dinner together almost every weekend (on a rotating schedule - their apt, our apt)...

Halloween 2007 or 2008 (Who knows!?)

We worked out together... ran & biked in races together...

Indianapolis Half Marathon. October 2008.

On several occasions, we acted very immaturely together....

Shenanigans. IN & NC. 2008-2009.

We traveled together....& did a ton of hiking together...

North Carolina. New Years 2009.

We stayed close as their family grew....

Wrigley Felkel. North Carolina. New Years 2010 & May 2010.

And then grew some more...

Introducing Liam. February 2010.

And we were overjoyed to welcome Little Liam to our fabulous foursome fivesome.

We love the new addition. 2010.

They became a part of our Chicago family & we were adopted into their North Carolina family...

A year ago, they convinced us that North Carolina would be a great place to call home... so we packed our bags & headed south to Chapel Hill....and then 4 months ago, they packed their bags & headed south to Winston-Salem...And we couldn't be happier to have them close by again....

We brought the fun to the south! Various adventures. North Carolina. Spring-Summer 2010.

In all this togetherness, I have grown to love Nicole (& Carson, Liam, & Wrigs...), but especially Nicole. She has been my confidant & best friend. Someone who I can call on in a moments notice (& I have). Someone who understands the ups & downs of our relatively young marriages. We've celebrated joys, mourned losses & shared life together. I am so thankful for her...& hope she feels loved & celebrated today.

BFFs. Winston. July 2010.

Happy 26th Birthday, Nicole! LOVE YOU!
LOVE, Suz