*Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.*

I grew up in a small town in Florida. I have friends I've known since I was born. We went to the same church, and to the same school from 1st grade-12th grade. After high school, I moved to North Carolina for college and I am still here. It's been almost 2 years since my last trip to Florida. Needless to say, I have drifted apart from some of those friends. Some of them I still keep in touch with some on Facebook, but nothing like I used to.

But out of all those friends, there is one person who I really miss: my best friend, Tana.
I met Tana in the 5th grade. In 6th grade, we rode the same bus and I have her highlighted in my yearbook as my one of "good friends." But in my 7th grade yearbook, she isn't highlighted - guess we didn't have similar classes that year. But in 8th grade, (if you remember I went to 3 different schools that year), my 3rd school of the year was back to my hometown school - Eustis Middle School. We had art class together and sat at the same table, and I got a chance to really get to know her. I invited her to church with me one Wednesday. She started coming with me, and ended up accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior - I will NEVER forget that day! From then on, we were inseparable. We went to school together, church together, lived within walking distance of each other, played soccer together, and I even got her a job with me! We were so close that she was like family. She never knocked when she came over ... just walked in and came right up to my room. We have so many good memories! I could write a lot if I were to talk about all of them haha!
But then college. I left for North Carolina, and she went allllll the way to Seattle, Washington. We both got busy with college. We do still make a point to call each other to catch up. And when we do, I love that it's as if nothing has changed and we pick up where we left off. Which reminds me ... it's time for one of those catch up conversations!
She flew out and was a bridesmaid in my wedding - after not seeing each other for over 2 years ... and that was the last time I've seen her (June 23, 2007). My sweet Tana got married this past summer .... and the plan would have been for me to be at her wedding too ....... but, my sweet Kathryn decided to be born 2 weeks before her wedding. That would have been really overwhelming trying to fly all of us with a newborn out to Seattle. So I sadly and regretfully missed her wedding. But I do plan to try and go see her as soon as I can!
I miss her so much. I have yet to have a friendship like the one her and I shared! *tears*
Love you Tana!

Pics are from my wedding June 23, 2007