Adventures with my Bethany

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it’s that true friends are few and far between. You may have a whole bunch of them, but most people are lucky to get just a few in their lifetime. I can honestly say I feel like I hit the jackpot with my true friends. I don’t have many of them, but the ones I have are incredible. Friends for LIFE.

I want to tell you a little bit about one of my dearest and oldest friends, Bethany. Bethany and I met in Peru. She was 11 years old and I was 16. We hit it off immediately. Even though she was 5 years younger than me, we totally clicked.  She got me and I got her. I had moved to Peru when I was 11… then Bethany came 5 years later at the same age that I was when I moved there. So we instantly already shared a common ground – moving to a foreign country at age 11. The rest is pretty much history.

Living in a 3rd world country is something you will never understand unless you’ve done it. Bethany and I share a special bond that I don’t share with any other one of my friends. She understands and gets me better than most. We went through similar hardships as homeschooled missionary kid teenagers living in Peru.  We are both so much alike but so different. We are both super artistic. (AND SHE IS WAY TALENTED BY THE WAY!) We both appreciate music. We laugh with and at each other a lot… like a lot. And we both have always ALWAYS had huge dreams. We have shared so many crazy wonderful adventures together (mostly in Peru) and have made memories that I will forever cherish.

Ask anyone who knows us, we are two peas in a pod. And I know it will be this way forever. I am so incredibly grateful for Bethany. I would trust her with my life. She is one of a kind and I am BEYOND grateful to God that he loved us both enough to bring each other together in life. I feel honored to be her friend. Truly.

This Valentine’s Day, I received the greatest surprise ever. FedEx delivered an envelope from my sweet Bethany. I had no idea what it was but when I opened it up, I immediately had to fight the tears. Bethany (with the help of her boyfriend Jesse) had drawn/painted 4 cards that each told a story of a few of our adventures together. I was in shock. I could not believe she had gone through so much to make me feel so special on Valentine’s Day. I felt overwhelmed by the love outpouring from these 4 little cards. I just couldn’t get over it. Even now I am still just so amazed by her love and friendship. Not only was I in awe by this gift, but I LOVED what it represented… our friendship over the past 14 years and our many adventures we have shared together. It was more than just a gift. There is honestly no way I could ever express in words how much this gesture meant to me and how much I love my Bethany Rose!! What a blessing she is and what a blessing this life has been. I knew right then my Valentine’s Day had topped everyone else’s!!! ; )

Bethany – I love you so much!!! I am so grateful for everything you do for me and mostly for your true friendship. Can’t wait to see you again soon. Friends forever and ever. xo

Now to share the beautiful cards she sent me!!

Our first adventures together were obviously spent in Peru. Below we are enjoying Inca Kolas (the soda of Peru) together as we are in awe over Machu Picchu.

Here we are in Thailand together playing with elephants with the beautiful and famous ruins behind us. Bethany was living in China during the time I went to Thailand. It was amazing that we were able to meet up there together and explore some of this beautiful country together.

Another one of our favorite adventures together was a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. SO MUCH FUN. See the cute little vineyards below?

And one of our more recent memories together was my 30th birthday masquerade party in New Orleans that Bethany flew in all the way from California for. Not only does this image replicate the masks we both wore, but even my cake made an appearance! LOVE IT. What an amazing night, amazing memories.

I look forward to many more adventures with you Bethany! Even when we are old and grey! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!