A girl named Darla

Let me tell you a story.

It's about a girl, well a woman, named Darla. Smart, tall, thin, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. This woman would have all the attention of the men we encountered....
I first "met" Darla freshman year of college. We were fellow PT majors though these were the years before we would have every class together. We had our own circle of friends. Darla was dating Doug. Doug and I were friends. He would spend hours on IM with me asking my female perspective on what he should do when their relationship was on the rocks. I didn't know Darla well then so I couldn't speak for her so I just offered up what advice I could to Doug.

Junior year started and Darla and I bonded over a cadaver in anatomy lab. Yep, that's right, we became friends as we performed a human dissection in the name of science. By this time, D&D had ended their relationship and I realized my budding friendship with Darla was something special and Doug and I had drifted apart. He wasn't that great a friend anyway.

Over the next three years, Darla and I had every class together. Countless hours sitting at the plinths in the PT lab on the ground floor of Rangos, many weekends in the library studying our life work, and LOTS of trips to the Strip District to hit up Tequila Willie's or Bar Pittsburgh. We became the best of friends in a time in our life filled with stress but also excitement.

I remember the day Darla was in an accident on campus. She messed her back up pretty bad and would later need surgery. Yet through it all, she hardly ever complained and always had a smile on her face. I'm so thankful the surgery was successful and she's able to practice as a PT today.

Graduation was exciting, but so sad. I was leaving Pittsburgh, leaving some of the most amazing friends I had ever met. Time and distance has a way of ending friendships. Lord knows I've learned that first hand over the years. Through it all, even if we went months without connecting, whenever D called it was as if we'd never been apart.

In 2007, I asked Darla to be a bridesmaid in my wedding and on July 4, 2008 she stood by my side as I married my soulmate. My wedding wouldn't have been complete without her. This weekend, I have the honor of returning the favor. I will don the dress, walk down the aisle, and witness one of my best friends marry the love of her life. I'm honored to stand by her side.

Darla, as your special day approaches, I celebrate our 9+ years of friendship. The ups, the downs, the laughter, the tears. I love you like a sister and know I'm always here for you. I wish you many lifetimes of happiness with Matt. You deserve it and I couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy every second of your day. It will go by quickly. Take a moment to breathe, take in the scene: a room filled with people that love you and Matt. Dance. Eat your dinner. Make sure someone saves you a piece of cake. :)

I love you D. I am so happy and so excited to stand by your side as you marry your love. I pray that 50 years from now, the 4 of us will be rocking it on an anniversary cruise somewhere, walkers in tow if need be.

From random pics