Jarrod

My dear friend, Amy (read more about her here), introduced me to Jarrod one Saturday afternoon when we rode our bikes to his house from her house.  We lived in Germany, and you can't drive until you are 18, so we did a lot of bike riding.  I stayed the night at Amy's house, and borrowed one of her bikes--possibly her mom's.  We must have ridden at least 6 or 7 miles to his house.  He was sitting on his porch steps waiting for us (I assume Amy had called and told him we were on our way--I don't remember exactly), and he was as kind and nice as Amy had described him.



Jarrod is at the very top on the right. 
Serena, Helen, and I are on the left in the middle.

Jarrod is brilliant.  He graduated third in our high school class and went to WPI where he got his undergrad and grad degree in five years.  The only other person from our class who did this to my knowledge was yours truly, but I certainly didn't finish third in our class!  He took all the A.P. classes our school offered and the highest level of German (was it German V?).  Did I mention he is brilliant? 

 



AP English class. 
Jarrod is on the left looking like he is about to slide down the mountain!

We were in A.P. English, and U.S. Government/Economics together.  Helen (read more about Helen here)and I sat behind him and Serena (read more about Serena here) in Government class, and we used to toss paper wads back and forth.  So childish, I know, but in our defense, it was the last hour of the school day, and it was our senior year, and we had senioritis, and, well....what more can I say?   We were also on the tennis team together with Helen.



AP English Class

Jarrod considered himself conservative when it came to politics, much to the chagrin of our liberal friend, Serena.  Our teacher, Mr. Gage (read about Mr. Gage here), had us take a survey in class, and Jarrod's results showed he was much more liberal than he originally thought.  Serena was delighted to hear this!  Jarrod maintained his conservatism.

 

Such an adorable couple!

Jarrod was in student government.  He was our senior class president, and Denise was either the secretary or the treasurer.  They were "just friends," and never dated in high school.  It wasn't until they were both in college that they fell in love and later married!   How endearing is that?  They now live in Colorado and have two beautiful children that look like a mini-Jarrod and a mini-Denise!   So precious!   I love that they knew each other through high school and have that history together.  They are both gentle, kind souls, extremely talented, and very much in love. 



Jarrod and Tim are on the far left.  Serena and I are across from
them, and Helen is on my right.  Kalin, Meg and Bill are across
from her, and Ron is at the end of the table.

Serena, Jarrod, Tim, and I attended senior prom together.  Serena and Jarrod took care of the details.  We met at Serena's house, and Tim and Jarrod presented us with yellow roses.  (Serena and I joked about this later and remarked that they were making sure we all knew we were just going to be friends.  We got the signal loud and clear!).  They were both perfect gentlemen, and our table was filled with tons of our friends.  It was a fun night taking place in a castle.  That was commonplace in Europe to have prom in a castle.  Doesn't it sound so extravagant?

 

Peter, John, and Jarrod in Amsterdam on Senior Skip Day

Jarrod was with us on the famous trip to Amsterdam on Senior Skip Day.  That was such a fun day!  I can't help but think of him and the rest of the crew whenever I drink an Orange Malibu.  

 

Jarrod is in there somewhere...Serena, Kari,
and I are on the bottom step on the right

Jarrod also participated in the amazing, very memorable, once-in-a-lifetime-experience, Czechoslovakian Student Exchange Program.  We walked all over Prague and spent much time at the Bunker.  Our group also toured the Jewish Cemetery and the Bones Cathedral, two very solemn visits.  We went ice skating, rode the metro, and saw as much of the city as possible.  When the Czech students came to visit us in Germany and the Netherlands, we took them to see Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Christian Slater.  We had already seen the movie and wanted to chat and make comments throughout, but the Czech students were seeing it for the first time and trying to translate the English to their language.  When we realized what was happening and how rude we were being, we stopped instantly...but we all belted out the Bryan Adams song at the end, "Everything I Do (I Do for You)." 

 

I am grateful for Jarrod's friendship.  I don't ever remember him saying an unkind word to or about anyone.  He was very focused, a great listener, and so much fun to be with.  He was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" our senior year along with Serena.  And I truly believe he has.  He works hard, adores his family, and loves life.  He maintains that he lives in the best state in the union, and he takes advantage of all the hiking and skiing that Colorado has to offer.  It has been a distinct honor to know him and call him my friend.  I hope nothing but life's very best for him and his sweet family now and always.

Amy Michelle

Amy Michelle and her beautiful daughter, Isabella

I have a lot of friends named Amy.  I decided when I first started my blog I wouldn't use last names.  I'm not sure why, but I do try to be consistent (and of course I reserve the right to change my mind later!).  Amy Michelle (isn't that a lovely combination?  I love the "m" sounds...very T.S. Elliot) and I met in Germany.  Both our dads were in the Air Force, and both were stationed at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base.  I met Amy my first day of my sophomore year.  German buses picked up all elementary, middle school, and high school students and brought them to Geilenkirchen (G.K.).  They dropped off the elementary kids at G.K. elementary school (the school only went up to 5th grade), and the rest of us loaded up on three buses that took us across the border to AFCENT International Middle and High School in The Netherlands.  Our bus came a little before 7 A.M., and we got to the high school a little before 9 A.M.  Talk about a long bus ride! 



Rob, Amy, Suzanne, Laura, Shannon, Tammy

My first day as a sophomore, my brother and I walked down the street to catch the bus and then were transported to G.K.  When it was time to load onto 3 buses, I sat next to Amy.  She was the friendliest, genuinely nicest person, and I was so grateful to meet her!  The 20 minute drive across the border passed quickly.  Amy was very easy and fun to talk to!  I do remember being disappointed to learn that she was a grade level ahead.  I had hoped to meet someone in my grade level.

 

I don't think we ever had a class together.  She knew she wanted to be a nurse and took a ton of advanced science and math classes...my least favorite classes.  She loved art, and she was very talented.   She even helped design the Fine Arts Festival logo one year that was used for flyers and t-shirts.  

She was on swim team and experienced the joys of travel by bus.  She was always willing to share an ear bud with me when she was listening to her music.  She had such a generous heart.



Amy, Christine, Tracy, and Tammi at their baccalaureate.

Amy loved to have fun and was constantly smiling.  She loved The Police and would turn up the volume whenever "Roxanne" was playing.  We watched Pretty Woman on VHS.  She loved the line where Vivian said, "Let's veg.  You know.  Lay like broccoli."  She would always talk about the SNL sketch where Dana Carvey would play the piano and sing "Chopping Broccoli." 
 

We enjoyed riding our bikes through the different German villages.  (You have to understand that you couldn't drive in Germany until you were 18 years old.  High school students rode bikes or mopeds...or walked.)  Once we stopped at a tiny local restaurant to grab a bite to eat.  Everyone turned to look at us when we walked inside.  We instantly felt like outsiders as a hush fell over the crowd.  We sat down and tried to ignore the awkward silence and blatant stares.  I was wearing my letter jacket which screamed we were both Americans.  The Germans in the northern part of the country generally weren't as hospitable and welcoming to Americans as they were in the touristy southern region of the country.  We laughed and tried to make the best of it.  I think we took the disposable German coasters with us when we left--a silent snubbing if you will. 


Amy, Serena, Tammi, Jisca, Suzanne, Helen

Amy was nice to everyone and earnestly tried  to bring people together.  Whenever events were planned, she would always make a point to invite as many people as possible.  She wanted all her friends to be present for the fun!  Her mantra was the more the merrier. 

She had beautiful naturally curly hair that drove her crazy.  Her brown eyes were always shining.  Her room was meticulous.  She encouraged me in ways she will never know, and she chose me to be her friend even though she was surrounded by masses of people clamoring for her attention.

 



Amy and her brother, Tim.  They are truly
two of the nicest people I know!

I loved talking with Amy.  She was open and honest and so encouraging.  She shared her hopes and dreams for the future and wasn't afraid to laugh at herself.  She had experienced heartache as a child when her mother passed away, but it made her stronger and, at the same time, more tender-hearted to others.  She was very bright and always seemed to be working on homework.  I admired her determination to get good grades and to learn all she could.  She was extremely self-sufficient.  Amy was not afraid of hard work.

Amy and her husband, Fabio, holding 
gorgeous Isabella  

Her first year of college, she went to school in Munich, Germany.  When our swim team traveled there for championships, Meg (read more about Meg here) and I visited her at her apartment with her roommate, Shannon.  Amy's boyfriend, Fab, (now hubby) played guitar and sang oldies but goodies.  We had a fun weekend.  Amy was the perfect hostess. 

 

Amy married her college sweetheart, and they now live in California with their two beautiful daughters, Isabella and Olivia, who were born two years apart on the exact same date!  Through a lot of hard work and determination, Amy earned a degree in nursing and financed it completely on her own.  She continues to be the best nurse ever, and I can't imagine how wonderful she is to her patients and how she makes them feel at ease and well taken care of.  I would trust her with any of my relatives and have no doubts that she would give them only her very best care and medical expertise.

Amy is still one of the most gracious, sweetest, kindest people I know.  I am so thankful for her friendship in high school.    What a lucky girl I am to know her and call her one of my fondest friends!  She made long bus rides bearable, lunch more fun, and demonstrated the qualities of a true friend. 

Reza

Reza in his favorite city, Chicago

Reza was a close friend of mine in college at Trinity.  I honestly don't remember the first time we met--I just always knew him.  

He was from Indonesia and came to the great state of Illinois as an exchange student in high school.  How brave and courageous to come to a new country alone!  After high school, he went to college at Trinity. He seemed to work everywhere on Trinity's campus: the library, the cafeteria, the computer lab.   I know our freshman year we were both assigned jobs in the cafeteria and worked in the dish room together.  I stayed one year before asking to get reassigned to the Education Office and to Campus Security.

Graduation from Trinity

Reza was a serious student--in fact he had a double major and still managed to graduate early--but he had a great sense of humor--a dry sarcasm that you had to pay close attention to hear.  He knew everyone on campus and everyone knew Reza.

My friends and I called him Raisin Bran, Razor Blade, and Raisin Nut Muffin.  I'm not sure he appreciated our pet names, but he tolerated it.  At the East Hall bonfire, they had a night of  karaoke, and we sang "You Can't Hurry Love" and dedicated it to him.  He was like the little brother we all loved to tease.  For his birthday one year, we took him to Reza's Restaurant in Chicago.  When he moved into his first apartment, we had a house warming party for him.  Everyone lavished him with gifts: silverware, patio chairs, plants, towels, toilet paper....all the essentials.    He was overwhelmed, but everyone adored Reza and wanted to him to know it!



Thomas, Courtney, Temple, Suzanne, Reza, Aaron, Chris
Jackie, Ken, Amy, Wendy, Jen, Justin, Alaine, Stephen
(clockwise)

Reza didn't learn to drive until college.  He took a driver's ed. class, but he still needed some practice.  I took him to Camp Manitoqua's huge gravel parking lot so he could practice turning and parallel parking.  He was a very safe driver and passed all requirements to get his license.  

He and I were in a children's play together called Chrysanthemum that our friend Alaine directed for an interim class.  I have taken that adorable play and had my own class perform it for chapel programs.

When my brother, future brother-in-law, and my friend, Ron, came from Virginia to Illinois for my college graduation, Reza let them stay at his apartment, and he also provided transportation to and from the college and various celebratory events.  They said he was a gracious host.  Reza, Wendy, Alaine, and Thomas joined my family and I  at Navy Pier after graduation.  We rode the huge Ferris Wheel and ate at Ed Debevic's.  The four of them also drove to Virginia for my sister's wedding two weeks after graduation. (Read more about that trip here.)  He has shared in many of life's celebrations.



London, baby!

I went home to Virginia one summer, and my friend, Dana, told me about a lady in her cafeteria at Hampton University who would ladle out the gravy and say, "Want some gravy, baby?" as she scooped it on each plate. That became the catch phrase, and I brought it back to Trinity. Reza had us in stitches as he repeated it! I can hear him laughing now! Want some gravy, baby?   

I flew back out to Chicago for Sandy's wedding, and we rang in New Year's at Alaine's home.  Reza took Alaine and I out for breakfast my last day in town.  I could always relax around Reza and be comfortable.  I have so many fond memories of all of us together just having lots of fun. 
 



Machu Picchu

 When I think about Reza, I remember most his sincerity, his generosity, and his honesty.  We do not agree on everything, but that is okay.  There is still a mutual respect despite our differences. No matter what has happened or what will happen, I will always call Reza my friend.

 

Reza has moved from his beloved city of Chicago to his not-so-favorite city of Houston, but he has still managed to take trips to Canada, Ecuador, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Belize, all over Europe, and most recently and impressively to Machu Picchu.  He has a sense of adventure and determination and is not afraid to take a risk to follow his dreams.  I don't think he ever knew how impressed we all were that he would leave his family at such a young age and travel to a new country to start a new life.  I know his family is very proud of him, as they should be.  This year marks five years since he became a citizen of the United States!  I truly wish the very best for him and pray that all his dreams come true and that he discovers God's perfect will for his life. 

Helen

Suzanne and Helen
 

My friend Helen is brilliant.  That's British for fantastic, awesome, and AH-mazing!  Helen is a full blooded Brit with equal parts of sweetness, loyalty, and mischief.  We were friends at AFCENT International High School in the Netherlands, and Helen made life exciting. 

She is tall, blond, beautiful, and smart. She speaks several languages including the Queen's English, French, German, and Russian.  She was asked to join National Honor Society and declined.  She took several AP classes and always did well, but she kept that to herself.

Her go-to phrases were, "I'm not bothered," which loosely translated meant, "I don't care one way or another," and "I'm easy," which meant, "You decide.  It doesn't matter to me."  And she meant it.  She never insisted on having her own way.  Helen was always up for a good time.  I promised I wouldn't reveal all the secrets, but I will always remember the night at the rock quarry with the Marechaussee and climbing the sand dunes.



Helen, Suzanne, Serena
Senior Prom

Serena (read about her here), Helen, and I were wonderful friends at AFCENT.  I always had a good time when one or both of them were with me.  We supported one another and were a diverse trio:  sweet, British Helen; fun-loving American Suzanne; ambitious Dutch/American Serena.  It was a combination that worked, and I dearly loved these friends!  For senior superlatives, Helen was runner-up for Most Friendly (our good friend, Kari, won so there were no feelings of discontent), I was  Best-All Around, and Serena was Most Likely to Succeed. 

 

Helen and I were on the school's tennis team together.  We had to run down the street to the tennis courts by the swimming pool after school and would get there as quickly as we could.  Our coach fussed at us saying we needed to be there as soon as the final bell rang.  Helen and I stood silently listening to his rant.  As he walked away Helen began fussing at his back in her beautiful British accent saying she had never been spoken to like that before and didn't intend to be spoken to like that again.  I don't believe the coach actually heard her, but I remember laughing and thinking, "Thata girl, Helen!"

 



Homecoming Bonfire
Helen, Suzanne, Katrina

Helen and I accidentally crashed a prom party our junior year.  I will spare the details, but she was mortified to say the least.  We defended the American flag together for a debate in U.S. Government.  (We debated against our dear friend, Serena, who later became an attorney--we lost.)  We threw paper wads at Jarrod in Mr. Gage's class--Jarrod was such a good sport! Helen and I also wrote a paper together on President Harding for Mr. Gage's class (Read about our beloved teacher here.).  I tried to imitate her British accent.  She told me I sounded like a posh news reporter.  I was flattered.  She would try to speak American English.  The best she could do was say, "I caaaaaaan't."

 

We disagreed over the meaning of the word, "B-o-n-k."  I used it this way:  "I got bonked on the head with a tennis ball."  She was appalled and covered her mouth laughing.  I looked at her puzzled.  "Oh, Suzanne.  We just don't use that word that way in England!"  I showed her a Dr. Seuss children's book with the word in it.  She laughed and brought me a silly greeting card from a British store that showed it was not a term to use lightly.  I finally understood.  Serena, Jarrod, Helen, and I used it as much as possible after that.  It is all over our senior wills and littered throughout our yearbook signings.  (The current teacher in me is shaking her head with her hands on her hips and giving a disapproving look.  The 17 year old in me is giggling shamelessly!)





Helen in Amsterdam for Senior Skip Day

Our junior year we sat at the best lunch table EVER with our dear friends Serena, Amy, Jisca, Rich, Jarrod, Tammi, Amanda, and Tracy (I feel like I'm missing a few people...hmmm).  Our senior year consisted of a new blue cafeteria and many lunches spent in NHS and SCA meetings.  I missed sitting with the best crew ever, but still had fun at the various meetings.

 

I would take the train from where I lived in Germany to visit her in the Netherlands.  We would meet in Maastricht and spent many a weekend exploring the city.   Loved, loved, loved those trips!

For Senior Skip Day everyone took the train to Amsterdam for the day.  Helen, Serena, Jarrod, Marinda, Jeremy, and I walked all around every inch of the city before taking a glass-topped boat down the canal and meeting up with everyone at the big square in front of the train station.  It was such a beautiful and fun day!





Suzanne, Helen, Serena
Love them!

After high school we kept in touch via letters and sometimes emails.  (I love her letters and emails because she always signs her name with an "x" for a kiss.  Very European!)  It wasn't until we both joined FB that I received a phone call from her one Saturday on my way to a friend's for a cookout.  I was thrilled to hear her beautiful British accent!   She was as optimistic and cheerful as ever.   We have talked about planning trips to visit each other.  I would love to make that happen. 

I don't think anyone who knows Helen can say one negative thing about her.  She is simply fabulous and upbeat despite any hardship she has gone through.  She is a breath of fresh air and such a darling friend.  I'm so glad I get to call her my friend.  And I can't wait for the day when I can sit across from her and laugh with her about all the events I didn't mention...  ;)

Nicole

Suzanne and Nicole

Everybody needs a friend who has life experiences they can share to help you make the best decisions possible.  Nicole is that kind of friend for me.  I can always count on her to share her advice and expertise and to tell  what she has learned along the way.  Nicole was two years ahead of me at Trinity.  She gave me advice about applying for jobs within the school system and around the college, student teaching, credit card annual charges, putting anti-freeze in my gas tank, and how to change a flat tire.  Whenever I ask her a question about something I don't know, she never makes me feel ignorant, and she has the gift of explaining very clearly and practically. 

Chicago, my kind of town!

She and Alaine lived down the hall from me my freshman year of college at Trinity.  They were a hilarious duo.  I always enjoyed hanging out with them.  They were experts at having fun no matter the circumstances.  They also loved practical jokes.  Once I toilet-papered their room thinking they would have no clue who it was.  Somehow they discovered it was me, and they did the same to my room but with the added bonus of stringing my bras and panties on a clothes line from one wall to the other.  One of them was able to get the phrase "Pink Cats Rule!" printed randomly in the daily campus publication called The Trinity Times.  It was a daily bulletin announcing birthdays, upcoming events, chapel schedules, etc.  The phrase was highlighted,  in pink of course, and displayed on every bulletin board and residence hall on campus.  Hilarious!   

We took camping trips, hiked at Starved Rock, and even took a bus trip from Chicago to Washington, D.C., with Sandy and Chris.  That was a memorial trip:  We visited the White House and several memorials, I got to meet Pat Buchanan, and we reenacted the Iwo Jima at the Mall by the John Paul Jones statue. 



Nicole the morning after her surgery...
Happy Thanksgiving!

Nicole is my hero because she spends her days teaching at an inner-city school in the heart of the west side of Chicago.  She has taught 6th grade and special education and has gotten two master's degrees since graduating from Trinity.  She is a hard worker with a desire to help all her students despite the difficult demands placed on public school teachers.

Cancer is a scary word.  My friend Nicole knows it full well.  Her mother lost her battle with cancer when Nicole was just 15 years old.  Last fall, right after my birthday, Nicole called me and said she had some unexpected news to share.  She asked me to sit down.  Then she bravely told me the doctor had found cancer on her thyroid, and told her it needed to be surgically removed.   She wanted to wait until January, but the doctor said it should take place as soon as possible.  It was decided that it would happen over Thanksgiving break.  I told her I would fly out to be with her during her recovery.  She gratefully accepted.  Nicole did not ever use the word cancer.  She said she didn't want to claim it, but instead she wanted to believe the report of the Lord--that by His stripes she was healed.

I flew out Wednesday (I got bumped to first class--my first time and hopefully not my last!). Nicole's dad dropped her off early the morning of the surgery, and the surgery was supposed to take two to five hours, but ended up being almost nine hours long.  I met Nicole at the hospital early on Thanksgiving morning to take her home.  I had to tiptoe past her sleeping (snoring) roommate and was so excited to see Nicole!  Nicole was sitting up, dressed, and ready to go home.  Everything went like clockwork, but the doctor said he was glad they did the surgery when they did because the entire thyroid was deteriorated.

Lovely flowers from
her sweet family!

We then went to the pharmacy to fill her prescriptions and spent most of Thanksgiving Day there.  It was our first Thanksgiving together and quite memorable!  I made food, and I brought the DVD Anne of Green Gables for us to watch.  That movie always made me feel better when I was ill, so I thought it would do the trick.  People at my school sent devotionals for her to read and comedies to watch.  Nicole was touched by everybody's concern for her--especially since they had never met her but had committed to pray for her.   Throughout the time I was there, Nicole never once complained even though she received a nasty burn on her back from how they had her placed on the operating table.  She recovered nicely and has gotten good results for each body scan.  Her doctor is pleased with Nicole's progress! 

God indeed healed her!



Ready to roll!

Nicole has not let this unexpected bump in the road stop her in the least.  She continues to work two jobs--her teaching job and her after school care job.  During the summer she teaches summer school and heads up child care for her school.  Her school is year round, so she gets two days of summer vacation.  In her free time she takes her daughter, Carrie, to softball and/or basketball practice, games, and tournaments.  Nicole pours herself into others providing for her family. 

I am grateful for her guidance, advice, and laughter.  She loves funny movies, the Hallmark channel, easy and nutritious recipes, and good music.  She is athletic, is an astute history buff, and spends Sunday evening ironing for the week ahead.  Her closet is full of only pressed shirts, skirts,  and pants.  It is truly something to be admired.  She laughs at me when I say we are experiencing cold weather in Virginia.  She lives in the Windy City of Chicago and rarely wears a coat.  When I visited her this winter, I brought my scarf, gloves, and warm coat.  She kept her coat in the back seat of her car.

When my camera broke a few years ago, I casually mentioned my disappointment, and a few days later, she mailed me her unused one.  I was overwhelmed by her kindness!  When I flew out to see her, she insisted on hiring a car service to pick me up at the airport and take me to her home.  She generously paid for my taxi on the return trip back to the airport.  When I returned home after her surgery, she sent me a box of Harry & David's pears with the sweetest note of thanks attached.   That is just like Nicole to be so thoughtful. 

I wish nothing but God's very best for her.  And a real summer vacation.  And a continued clean bill of health.  And many more happy memories!


So thankful for this dear friend!

Wendy

Wendy and Suzanne
February 2012

Wendy.  Window Pane.  Windchime.   I cannot imagine how life would be without Wendy.  As cliche and cheesy as it sounds, I would have missed her even if I had never met her.

Wendy was my suite mate in South Hall my sophomore year at Trinity.  We shared a closet and a bathroom with two other girls.  I liked Wendy instantly.  She would provide interesting and humorous conversation during much needed study breaks.  I could say what I really thought to Wendy, and she could do the same with me.  I enjoyed time spent with Wendy.  She made it easy to like her.  Wendy was very much like a sister to me, even from the very beginning. 

Our suite was at the very end of the hall by the fire escape (That was the same fire escape Jackie and I had to carry the couch down the stairs. Read that post here.).  I was offered a R.A. position second semester and had to move to another wing of the dorm.  Wendy moved with me and we had so much fun being roommates and sharing a closet and bathroom with Kim and Becky.  It was a very easygoing living situation.  No drama.  No inconsiderate roommates.  No complications.  A lot of fun and good times!  Wendy and I could be completely honest with each other.  She saw me at my best and worst; she forgave me my worst and accepted my best.  I adored her friendship! 



East Hall Bonfire
Kristin, Suzanne, Wendy,
Amy, Jackie

We played harmless little pranks on one another.  I would put complimentary "Stop bed wetting" info brochures from the grocery store in her text books that would fall out when she opened them.  She would then leave them in my back pack.  She would hang signs all over that said, "Please do not eat my granola bars."  (I promise I don't know what happened to her granola bars...it wasn't me!).  I took pictures of her when she was sleeping.  She returned the favor.  I threw a cup of cold water over the shower curtain when she was in the shower.   She hung a picture of me soaking wet from a ferry ride on her classroom wall.



Dressed up to go to Castaldi's circa 2004, 2005
Wendy, Suzanne, Jackie

I pulled my first and last all-nighter with her.  Wendy was a pre-med major and was notorious for staying up all night to write a paper.  We used very different approaches when writing papers.  She was a self-proclaimed perfectionist and would hand write the paper and make needed corrections. Only after it was perfect would she type it.  I started out on the computer making changes as I went along.  To me that was faster and more practical.  One week I had several papers due all on the same day, and I couldn't get everything done as I usually did.  I am usually very good about time management.  I'll stay up to get it done, but I still manage to get my sleep.  This particular night I had to write two papers and wasn't able to start until a little before midnight.  Wendy and I were in the hall lounge right across from where our room was.  She sprawled out on a bean bag chair while I typed furiously.  I knew I wasn't doing as good a job as I would have liked.  At about 3 a.m. I started my second paper.  I even had a Mountain Dew to try to stay awake.  That was a big mistake since I rarely drink soda or anything with caffeine in it.  I finally finished a little before 6:30 which was plenty of time to jump in the shower and get ready for my 8 o'clock class.  I had a brutal headache the rest of the day and swore I would never, ever, ever pull an all-nighter again.  I have no clue how Wendy was able to do that time and time again.

 


Wendy had two alarm clocks, a digital one and a tick-tock clock.  I am a sound sleeper and always slept with a fan to drown out any noises, so her clocks never bothered me.  My junior year I was assigned to the upperclassman dorm, East Hall, and Wendy had to live in the underclassman dorms.  We were able to live together again my senior year in East Hall.  This past year, Wendy told me that every year she had to live with someone other than me in college was a stinky year for her.

Wendy grew up in Waupan, Wisconsin, a few hours north of Trinity.  She graciously invited me to spend a few days with her family one winter to help celebrate her grandparents' wedding anniversary.  I took her up on it and was able to visit my very first dairy farm.  Her sister, Christie, loaned me a very comfortable pair of tennis shoes so that I wouldn't ruin the one pair of shoes I'd brought with me.  I had a wonderful time, and her entire family was very hospitable.  It was fun to see the house she grew up in and to see the church she attended. 




Ed Debevic's, Chicago
September 2011

After college Wendy drove out to Virginia with Reza, Alaine, and Thomas to attend my sister's wedding. We had so much fun, and I was delighted to spend time with them before and after the wedding. Wendy even brought a box of items I couldn't fit in my car after graduation. They left early Sunday morning after the wedding. I was sitting in church when a friend came and told me they had been in a car accident on the way back to Illinois. They were about five hours away. Everyone was okay, but they had to cut the car roof to get Wendy out. Thankfully she survived, but she has a long scar on her arm as a reminder from the accident.

Wendy's husband, Josh, is a darling man, even if he likes the White Sox.  I can forgive him for that because he always offers me adult beverages when I come to his house and introduced me to Riesling.  When they were dating, Wendy wanted me to meet him, so she invited our friend Amy and me to her home over for lunch.  Josh had gotten there early to help her make lunch.  He was interested to get to know us, and he was a good sport about taking several pictures of us together.   They are a great couple, and Josh truly brings out the best in Wendy.  They have four precious children: three girls and one boy. 



Wendy and Suzanne
painting Chicago red!

Wendy has been out to visit me in Virginia several times, and I have been back to Illinois to visit her several times as well.  The time always flies by during those visits.  The last time I was in Chicago, Wendy picked me up at the airport and let me stay at her house.  We giggled the entire way home despite the detour, missed turn, and construction on the road.  Wendy is easy to be with and can make mundane things fun.  She is sincere, thoughtful, loyal, and she keeps my secrets.

Wendy has a very kind and open heart.  If she can help a person out, she will.  If she can listen sympathetically, she will.  If she can share a funny story about herself, she will.  I just love her to pieces!

My Book Club

Happy Anniversary, Book Club!

I am in an amazing book club.   Not everyone can say that.  We just celebrated our five year anniversary at The Melting Pot on Tuesday, August 15, 2012.   We meet each Tuesday at Amy's home.  She is our fabulous leader, and I can safely speak for everyone when I say we love her dearly.  I can also speak for everyone when I say our book club is about more than just books.

Book club has grown and evolved over the last five years adding and subtracting members, embracing the addition of spouses, children, and new careers, sharing in each other's sorrows and joys, and celebrating life together.  I cherish Tuesday nights and am very blessed to know and spend time with each of these amazing ladies!

Rockefeller Plaza, New York City

We take turns selecting a book and leading discussion questions.   I've had the honor of leading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and most recently, Bossypants by Tina Fey.  We usually take around 5-6 weeks to finish each book, and we will have field trips or activities relating to each book. Sometimes we will watch the movie or one that relates to the book.  We wrote letters to our fathers or grandfathers after reading To Kill a Mockingbird, visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., after reading The Hiding Place, picked peaches and blueberries at a local orchard after The Grapes of Wrath, and went to the local Greek Festival and on a whirlwind tour of New York City after reading Bossypants.

New York Subway

There is a chapter in Bossypants called "I Don't Care If You Like It (One in a series of love letters to Amy Poehler)" where Tina Fey described how happy she was when Amy Poehler started working with her.  I modified it and gave everyone currently in book club a copy.

I Don't Care If You Like It

(One in a series of love letters to Book Club)

by Suzanne DeWitt

 (as inspired by Tina Fey's Bossypants)

I was so happy.  Weirdly, I remember thinking, "My friend is here!  My friend is here!"  Even though things had been going great for me at the show, with {book club} there, I felt less alone. 

Just as Tina learned from Amy to "do her thing and don't care if they like it," I have learned some valuable lessons or life mantras from each of you! 



Shirley Plantation

Amy:  Silence is golden.  I can't think of anyone else I'd want to be stuck with at Arlington National Cemetery during a bomb threat/metro shut down than you.  Dolly Parton and Aretha Franklin's songs make beautiful poetry...especially if you wear a beret when reciting them.  If it's yellow, let it mellow.  If it's brown, flush it down.



Christine:  If you want something done, do it yourself.  Nothing stops you!  Whether it's running a marathon every month for a year, planning a huge birthday bash for you, your hubby, or your kids, you are WONDER WOMAN!  I am truly amazed at all your talents.  I want to be like you when I grow up.

Jesse:  Confidence and teamwork can help you win the game "Signs."  One of the first times I met you, I was blown away with the amazing way you and Craig worked together to throw and catch signs at the Ralls' Christmas party.  So covert!  You also stole the show with your one of a kind pig toilet paper holder and showed that you fit right in!  I love all the Rocco stories.  One of my favorites is the Popsicle and the shower!  {I would like to add how impressed I am that Jesse traveled via overnight bus with us to New York City when she was 7 months pregnant!  I never heard her complain, and she was an absolute DELIGHT the entire trip!  She also brought a nail file along which I ended up needing as soon as we entered the subway when I broke my nail down to the quick.  Hooray for Jesse!}



Laurie:  A little bit of humor goes a long way.  I truly enjoy doing comedic bits with you from Bon Qui Qui to reciting lines of a funny movie.  Did you just come from work?  What kind of name is Stove?  Not everyone is Chinese.  If I ever need to know how the Yankees are doing or what's happening in politics or in the land of medical insurance, I know you'll know the answer.

The Melting Pot Anniversary Dinner:
The beginning of a wonderful tradition

Lindsay D.:  Your loyalty knows no bounds.  I watched how you helped Nancy when Rebekah was born, and how faithful you've been to visit her whenever you can after she moved to Pennsylvania.  I admire how loyal you are to your friends, family, the Yankees, and even your favorite bands:  Anthem Lights and Hanson.  "Mmmbop, ba duba dop, ba du bop, ba duba dop, ba du bop bad du..."

Lindsey R.:  You need to get over that in about one minute.  You inspire me with your can-do-it-but-I-won't-get-frazzled-about-it spirit.  Need 23 generous bowls of pineapple dip whipped up by hand?  Lindsey can do it without batting an eye...and did I mention she was almost 8 months pregnant...and that there was a shortage of pineapples (and by shortage, I mean there were none!)?  These are the stories we will tell our children.  You even make spreadsheets fun.  Everything is experimental at this point.  I know if we're driving somewhere, I want to be in your car.

Mandy:  I had 3 choices:  deer, truck, ditch.  I'm totally taking the deer!  Your compassionate heart astounds me every week when I hear you've added another student to your docket, and somehow managed to incorporate another grade level's schedule!  You are like the Army.  You do more before 8 a.m. than most people do all day!

Mary:  Everyone has a little Shaquandra in them.  You make me laugh without saying a word.  You are smart and funny...a powerful combination!  I love your honesty and affection for wine!  You have the special gift of making a person feel like she is your best friend. 



Erin's bridal shower

Nancy:  Treat your friends like family, and treat your family like friends.  I have so appreciated how you make your friends feel at home.  You make everything fun.  I have never heard you say a negative thing about anyone.  Somehow you always manage to see the good side to everyone.  I often ask myself, "How would Nancy deal with this?"  You taught me it's okay to laugh about boobies.

Rachel:  You are no longer a rooky.  You've passed all the requirements for book club:  extensive reading to catch up, bringing yummy homemade caramel corn, moving half way across the nation, and being an amazing sister and auntie!  I can't remember what it was like before you got here, because it feels like you've been here from the beginning!  Let's go before the man riding on his tractor comes and shoos us away...and by tractor, I mean wheelchair!

Christine's epic birthday soiree!

Suzy: When Suzy talks, people listen.  The more I know you, the more I want to know you better!  You can be quiet at times, but I believe you are a riot!  You don't waste words, and you are so much fun to be around whether it's driving to a funeral, helping women dip their hands in paraffin, or playing Quelf (Did I spell that right?)!

To read some other raves about this wonderful book club's special anniversary dinner, read Amy's blog post here. (She has the complete list of books we've read over the last five years!)

Or Lindsey R.'s post here. (She also has a fun give away that you can give me for my birthday if you win...I like the green and yellow one!)

Or Christine's post here.  (She has a hilarious joke about queso...oh my goodness...so cute!  Check it out!) 

Nancy

Nancy in Williamsburg, one of her
favorite places!

Everybody loves Nancy.  What's not to love?  The first time I met Nancy was at our mutual friend Amy's house.  Nancy and I were in the kitchen, and she said, "Suzanne, have you seen Amy's card on her refrigerator?  It's really funny."  The card showed several men tipping their hats.  The inside cover read, "It only took one trip outside for Sarah to decide the the boob job was totally worth it."   I knew instantly we'd be good friends! 

This was the front of the card from Amy's
fridge.  I love Nancy's sense of humor!

Nancy loves people.  She can make you happy just by being around her.  She has a smile on her face when she is folding laundry, changing a diaper, playing poker, in labor, or telling a funny story about herself.  She always sends thank you notes. She enjoys playing games, but she is a gracious winner and loser.  I always know I will have fun if Nancy is involved.  Nancy treats her friends like family and her family like friends.  



Dan and Nancy have always welcomed
their friends into their home.

She is very hospitable.  She and her husband, Dan, lived in Virginia while their family lived in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. While they were here, they were so faithful to invite friends over for Thanksgiving, Easter, and summer picnics, especially those who did not live close to family.  They often hosted game nights, dinners, and movie nights at their home.  When my friends, Ken and Jackie, came to visit from Indiana, they invited all our friends over to their house to meet them.  (Click here to read about Ken and Jackie.) They know how to have a good time.  I enjoyed welcoming in the new year at their annual New Year's Eve parties!   Her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and fun-loving sister-in-law, Sandy, even spent an evening trying to teach me poker.  I had fun, but I lost everything.  They definitely play to win!

Poker night with the Hillmans!

Nancy is incredibly smart.  Oh my goodness, is she smart!  As we speak she is finishing her dissertation and will defend it this spring and then graduate with a PhD!  But she doesn't put on airs, and she can relate to anyone.  Amy (mentioned before as a part of my blique--click here to read about Amy.) and I went to hear her at a Virginia Forum at Christopher Newport University, and I was amazed at how she made the topic come alive.  Two people went before her and basically read their paper aloud.  (Yawn!)  Nancy talked to the audience and engaged us.  I was so proud of her! 





Book Club circa August 2010: Suzanne, Mandy,
Christine, Lindsey, Amy, and Nancy

She took a class I taught called Five Aspects: Theology of Femininity.  She was a star pupil and always did her homework.  She added so much to discussions and listened to what others had to say.  She loves to learn and is able to share her knowledge in a helpful way.  She inspires others to do the same. 

Nancy is an avid reader.  She is a valued member of  my book club and has been a member from the very beginning. You can count on her to contribute interesting commentary, both serious and comical.  She provides constant encouragement for whoever is leading.  She is such a dedicated member that she continued to join our group via Skype after she and Dan moved to Pennsylvania two years ago.  She and I have similar taste in books.  If Nancy likes it, I know I will too.



Flick Club at the Bounds

She was also in Flick Club when she lived in Virginia, and she coined the tag line of all tag lines: "Flick Club is youth group for adults!"  That clever phrase ended up in the program guide for summer interest groups describing Flick Club.  She loves the movies Field of Dreams and Dances with Wolves.  I can't help but think of her whenever I watch one of those movies. 



She is 1/3 of the Triple Threat consisting of Nancy, me, and Amy (aptly named by our friend, Dave).  I love, love, love being with these two ladies whether it's on a road trip to a vineyard for the weekend with only one bathroom and 20+ people, going for a chilly early morning swim, picking peaches and blueberries on a farm in Williamsburg, watching North and South with a very young Patrick Swayze, commentating on all the cheesy scenes in Top Gun, or sending emails that rhyme. 





Triple Threat Forever!

Nancy is a friend I am honored to have.  I truly believe God gave her to me as an unasked answer to prayer.  I had been attending Peninsula Community Chapel for almost two years and had just started attending the C2 group.  One Sunday morning I woke up in a foul mood.  I have no idea why or what brought it on, but I remember fussing at God as I was getting dressed and telling Him I was done talking to Him because he obviously wasn't listening to me.  I got to church early and selected a seat in the section I normally sat.  Suddenly Nancy and Amy arrived and sat down on either side of me.  I felt loved and at once my heart melted.  I silently thanked God for reminding me He had already given me what I needed when I didn't even realize I needed it.



Although we are separated by a few states, I consider Nancy one of my closest friends.  She is a beautiful example of hospitality, congeniality, sincerity, and loyalty.




Picking blueberries and peaches
in Williamsburg: Amy, Christine,
Suzanne, and Nancy

I got to hold Nancy's baby, Rebekah, when
she was just a few days old!