my sweet best friend

It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years since I first met my best friend, April. April is one of those people you meet and are constantly puzzled by how she does all that she does. I met her when we were just starting college and I wasn’t able to verbalize it then but she was one of the first people for me to meet who was both comfortable in her own skin and confident enough to share it with the world - a lovely combination. I think it’s why I was so drawn to her because I had yet to find that same comfort and confidence in myself. I was drawn to her energy – she’s brilliant in a myriad of ways: intellectually, creatively, emotionally, and intuitively. She expresses herself. She isn’t afraid to voice her truths even if it means causing rifts or having people respond negatively. She’s stubborn and she’s smart. Since the day I met her she lives each day being present, being silly, having fun, challenging herself, diving into projects, and connecting with the world around her.

I feel lucky our worlds connected us to each other. Until April my world was quite narrow. I knew I wanted more but wasn’t sure how to find it. April and I explored the world together, challenged each other, fought, grew, and changed. Over time she taught me that disagreements don’t have to be calamitous – they can bring two people closer together. She inspired me then and continues to inspire me from afar and every time we connect. She is who really instigated my passion for painting. We used to take canvases to parks and take turns painting. She’s spontaneous. When I’m sad I think of her and think of what we might do together - it's those activities that bring me back up. She helped me find myself. She brings light and happiness everywhere she goes because of WHO she is and her confidence in sharing it. There are no words that could ever fully express the depth of my love, admiration, and respect I have for her.

April still lives in Baton Rouge so we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like. She is now married with 3 children and I am single with 2 cats. Our lives are really different now but there is still no other person with whom I’d rather spend a weekend, a dinner, a workout, a painting session, anything. She is my best friend – a true beauty....and I can't WAIT to see her this weekend! 

April and I when she came to visit last fall. This is when she was pregnant with her baby GIRL! <3