30 years ago, school was letting out for the summer. We had been in Texas for six months, and I had yet to make any friendships that would stick. I was headed for daycamp at Evangel Temple, where I was pretty sure I would be miserable–I had been miserable at the Evangel Temple school, so what could possibly be different?
Jamie Anne, is what.
For the first few weeks of camp, Jamie and I were half of a foursome (rounded out by Moddy and Sheila) that was ultimately deemed to dangerous to be allowed to continue. When the camp counselors broke up our “gang” (I’m telling you, Evangel Temple was a prison camp) Jamie and I went one way, and Moddy and Sheila another til the end of the summer. Then, we were all scattered. Moddy and Sheila back to their schools, Jamie to Evangel Temple’s 6th grade, and me off to Hockaday, where I would learn that there were fates worse than Evangel Temple.
But, summer came again, and Jamie and I were delighted to find ourselves at the same YMCA daycamp, where we wreaked our special brand of havoc once more.
We have gone to daycamps together, worked as Candy Stripers together, had a thousand sleepovers, gone to clubs, had family vacations, watched each other’s children…everything. Jamie has real siblings, whose blood ties to her I have always envied, but she has always been sister-close to me. I love Jamie. She is better people than you will meet accidentally.
Jamie is and has always been the most generous person I’ve known. She is kind and considerate, and careful with the feelings of others. She is a true home maker for her family. She is a great and gracious hostess. She remembers important things, and is just naturally a good friend to anyone. If anything happened to Bryan and me, she and Wes are the people I would trust with Thor. You might not know, but Jamie knows the full meaning behind those words. I trust Jamie with more than my life. I trust Jamie with Thor’s life.
If you’re so inclined, take a gander at Jamie’s blog A Dash of Domestic. She’s fantastic.
Here’s to 30 more years, Jamie. And 30 more after that!
The Outside Lane 