Sweet Baby Girl

So, who knew that I would get so emotional finding out that one of my best friends is having a baby girl. I literally could not stop crying when she told me she was pregnant, when she text me the sound of the baby's heartbeat, when I found out it was a girl... You get the point.

Claire is my oldest friend. We grew up in Salem Alliance Church together, and I'm sure I knew who she was, but it was not until the 7th grade that our friendship really blossomed. Since then, she has been by my side through breakups, new relationships, grieving, and the start of new adventures in California. I have been honored to be her friend through middle school, high school, and college, to witness her and Matt's relationship, and to stand by her side on her wedding day. I look back on all the time we spent together, everything we did, and realize that if Claire is anything like the friend she has been to me, she is going to make a killer mom. <-- I realize that may not sound right. Let me rephrase... She is going to make a fabulous mom.

I remember when Matt and Claire had their first date like it was yesterday, mostly because I take some credit for it... Matt asked Claire out. Claire said yes. Claire told me to call her at a certain time, just in case the date was not going well so that she could have an excuse to get out of it. I forgot to call. They fell in love. They got married. They are having a baby girl. I gave myself the title "Aunt Paige."

My friendship with Claire has always been one of adventure, trying new things and continually learning from each other. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the first time I snuck out was with her. That is not to say she was the antagonist in the situation, but together, we found the risk of sneaking out rather... risky. So, two eighth graders hit the streets of West Salem around 10:30pm (or was it later... It must have been later...) and headed about a mile down the road to the Brush College Store. Your first time sneaking out deserves something special, which is why we purchased lolly pops and Doritos... We were planning on going to the boys baseball game the next day, and needed snacks. 

Unfortunately, we never made it to the game. Somehow my mom found out we had snuck out of the house the night before and put a ban on Claire and my friendship. We couldn't have sleep overs anymore because apparently we were bad influences on each other. Whatever. I'm not quite sure how long that ban lasted, but I know it must not have been long because it made no dent in our friendship.

To this day, my mom won't tell us how she caught us sneaking out. It is not that I want to know so that I don't get caught anymore (although that may have been my motive back in the day...) I JUST WANT TO KNOW SO BAD. So, my mom explained that when we start having kids of our own, she would spill the beans. 

Well, mom, Claire is due in July :)