Thirteen years ago, four girls were filled with nervous excitement as they stepped onto the campus of UNC-Greensboro, leaving behind homes, family members, and high school sweethearts. Brought together by the love of education, they found each other in one of the most vulnerable places they'd ever be in.
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| The girls, from left to right: me, Brandi, Tara, Michelle (2001) |
As the college nights grew longer, our bonds grew stronger. We lived together in dorm rooms and apartments, sharing everything from bathrooms to clothes. Our time at UNC-G didn't exactly provide us with prestigious degrees, but I'd do it all over again just to find friends like these
girls.
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| Snow day outside our apartment (2003) |
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| Teaching Fellows semi-formal at UNC-G (2002) |
Over the past thirteen years, we've sat together through classes, doctors appointments, and graduations. We've held each other during break-ups and stood by one another through weddings. We've laughed and cried, fought and made-up. We've celebrated babies and new jobs, and now laugh at the fact that not one of us is teaching today.
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| My wedding day (2006) |
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| Meeting Lily and Kaleb (2007) |
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| Ethan's 1st birthday party (2010) |
Our adventures have taken us to small towns and big cities, beaches and mountains, frat parties and wine cellars. Some years, a full 365 days will pass before we see each other again and we spend an entire weekend making up for lost time.
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| Top of the Rock, NYC (2012) |
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| Blue Ride Parkway (2012) |
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| Myrtle Beach, SC (2012) |
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| Pigeon Forge, TN (2006) |
We all just returned home from one of those weekends, and my appreciation for these girls and their friendship is off the charts. We're spread all across the state - from Angier to Asheville - but never more than a phone call away.
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| Duplin Winery (2013) |
Thirteen years ago, I had no idea that our friendship would grow into such a foundational part of my life - or that we'd still make time for each other after the husbands and jobs and babies came. But it is, and we have, and I honestly don't think I could be more thankful.
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| Emerald Isle, NC (2010) |
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| Emerald Isle, NC (2011) |
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| Emerald Isle, NC (2013) |
"Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
-Ecclesiastes 4:12
