These two beautiful ladies lived in the same neighborhood when I was in high school. One was a year older than me, one was in my class. One shares my first name, one was my bridesmaid. Both share birthdays in the same week, this week.
Both were two of my best friends as I navigated some rough years called teenagerdom.
They know things about me I hope they keep a secret.
They are evidence that while some girls can be catty and mean, other girls can be rock solid friends and forgive the trivial and seasonal. While some girls come and go in our lives, a few remain as lifelong friends and sisters.
corduroys * Chorale * dragging Main * Def Leppard * big hair * Mr. Yount * french fries at The Hutch * cassette tapes * Ken’s Pizza * E.T. and The Blue Lagoon * writing notes in class * Pac Man and Frogger * Love’s Baby Soft and shiny lip gloss * South Hutch softball games * Trapper Keepers * freezing in that girls’ bathroom * Mrs. Olsen and her scripture singing “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…” Â * the pay phone in the corner * Rhonda’s unforgettable laugh and Cindy’s killer legs, two things I wish I had
Ah, the memories.
Happy birthday to you both.
I love you, Cindy and Rhonda, and I am grateful for you. I am grateful that you have loved me in spite of.
LOTS of in spite of.
rhondaisgrateful 
I love you to the moon and back!!
Oh Rhonda you sure know how to make my birthday full of love and memories. But you forgot crutches, your creamy labaron, a
Pusy string being pulled out of your leg and making me watch, the Charlie Brown song, and you and your lipstick. I love you so much too. Life would be so dull without you laughing at my joke. Rhonda Fer-son-gun. As that little preachers girl would call you. And Rhonda Miller I must confess, when you were a freshman in high school. Me and Kim Unruh would aim right at you during serving practice. 🙀
You are such a sweet, thoughtful friend to remember them in this beautiful way!