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Friday, April 10, 2009

My BFF, JoJo

 Birthday candles 2

Today is Jodi’s 45th birthday.  She is MUCH older than me… even though we graduated from high school together.  In truth, for the past 32 years, we’ve pretty much done everything together.

I can’t imagine what my life would’ve been like had I not found Jodi.  My mom always said we were more like sisters than best friends.  We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve fought, we’ve made up.  We’ve been there for each other through everything that life has brought us.

When we were in high school, the kids called us “Laverne & Shirley”… I think I was Laverne.  Our dream was to graduate and move to Nashville.  You know, the Country Music Capital of the World. Neither one of us can sing, but we loved Country music.  We never made it to Nashville, instead we found a little apartment in Yellville, Arkansas that cost $90 a month (utilities paid).  We figured we could afford $45 a month each.  So, we did that for a while.

I got married in 1983 (only a year after graduation). Jodi was my Maid of Honor.  Gary (Jodi’s husband) was Dave’s Best Man.

Jodi and WC at our wedding

(Yes, our wedding was pink and burgundy)

In 1984, Jodi and Gary got together. (Just as we planned)  In March of 1987, Jodi had her only child, Jessica (March 4), and I had my first-born, Kale (March 31). Our kids went through elementary, middle, high school and now college together (they’re even at the same University).

We still live within a few minutes of each other. We work out together. We go to the same church. We go to the same hairdresser (and we usually schedule our appointments together).  We eat out on weekends together. We have FUN together!!

What’s funny is that when we’re together, people call me Jodi or her Jacquie.  Even my own mother did that on occasion.  Jodi’s boss does it ALL the time.

Here’s a little stroll down memory lane…

(most of our yearbook pictures are in black and white… and not very good quality.)

Home Ec Senior Year 

Home Ec class.  I think I must’ve been “entertaining”.  Although, Jodi seems to be the only one paying attention.

Best Buddies 1982

Senior Year

Senior Trip 1982

Senior Class Trip 1982

Senior Trip 1982 Laying out

Getting burnt to a crisp on our class trip

Jodi

Jodi and WC camping

Jo and Jacqreunion steven1

20 year class reunion (Jodi, Melody, Betty, and me)Friends at Neighbors Mill Breakfast with high school friends a few years ago (Heidi, Melody, Jodi, me, and Shirley)

Bru_Py_Old_Timers_Game

After an alumni basketball game (Karen, Jodi, and me)

 

Jodi and Jacquie at Kays before

Happy Birthday, Jo! 

You’re the best BFF ever!!

15 comments:

Lauren said...

How incredibly sweet Jacquie!!!!! What a precious friendship God has placed between you both :o)

Kelley said...

How awesome! That is a blessing to have such a good friend. That is few and far between today! Happy Birthday to your friend!

His Doorkeeper said...

Happy Birthday Jodi! To be so much older than Jacquie you look good! har har

Sweet post and a sweet friendship!

judycolby said...

You're so lucky to live so close together.

petrii said...

Jacquie,
This is so sweet!! How GREAT to have such a close friend ~~ a true Blessing.

Have a Beatiful Easter dear one,
Dawn

Becky said...

What a lifetime of memories you two share. Happy Birthday Jodi!

Jonathan Hardin said...

That is so great! I loved reading about your BFF and the photos down memory lane!! Aren't BFFs the best!!

beckylbranch said...

This is a very sweet post! She is very lucky to have you for her best friend...some of those pictures are pretty funny! You had some SERIOUS curly hair going on! But you were still beautiful :)

Kelley said...

Jacquie, I love seeing your pictures. I need to get a scanner and scan mine. I have one at work that I can use I guess. It is fun to take a walk down memory lane or view other people's memories. I bet you two were fun to hang out with!

The Garners said...

What a great post! Happy B-day, Jodi! I loved all the photos!

Betsy said...

That is so sweet. You are sooo blessed to have a life-long friend like that!! I loved all those pictures of you!! :)

MiMi said...

What a sweet post about such a special friend! I loved all the pictures that you shared!

Happy Birthday to your BFF, Jodi!

Susie said...

That is so sweet Jacquie! Loved your trip down memory lane.

Jessica Lane said...

I LOVED all of the old photos of you two and David and my dad. You guys are hotties!

Happy Birthday, mom! She's just getting back from an extended weekend fishing trip in TX. Not a bad birthday.

Dorothy said...

How great to have a friend like this!!! I should know, because when I started to school I met Billie and we were close all through grade 12. She and her new husband were attendants at my wedding when I was 17. We go to the same church and have lived in the same town for most of our adult life. We are still best friends now after all these years.