Melanie

On Emily's first birthday, we packed up our things and headed to San Diego to begin a new phase of our life called Law School. We did not know anyone in San Diego and were both excited and nervous about our move.

Our first Sunday there, we went to church and were introduced to The Black Family. They had just moved to San Diego too and had a little girl named Melanie. Melanie was only one week older than Emily and as soon as the girls met they were instant friends. I was surprised how quickly and easily these two took to each other.

It was not just me thinking they were getting along either. They truly where kindred spirits. A few weeks after we moved there we were sitting in Sacrament meeting when Emily spotted Melanie across the chapel. She was so excited she started yelling her name, (at least her word for her name.) Then Melanie stood up and yelled back to her. From then on if we did not sit close to the Blacks, we at least had to make sure they saw each other before the meeting started.

For the next five years Melanie and Emily were inseparable. They loved each other and had so much fun together. They went to different schools, but that didn't matter. If you asked Emily who her friends were Melanie was always at the top of the list.

After Kindergarten our family's had to go their separate ways. Melonie's dad got a job with the foreign service and they were off to see the world. Ryan had found a new job in Utah so we were also moving. Luckily for the girls Melanie's grandparents live in the two places we venture in the summer, Utah and Oregon. So about once a year these two friends get together. This year they came just after school started.

It is so fun to see how much the girls have grown, and how much they are still alike. I am grateful for Melanie. It was so great for Emily to have such a good friend at such a young age.