the 'craziest cat' i know

so after my last friend tribute to kim, i was meaning to do more, because i have so many dear friends that deserve a little recognition. and this morning in my bible study, i was encouraged to thank God for people in my life who have been amazing friends and pray-ers. many amazing women (and some guys) came to mind. one in particular was, yes, none other than miss leah gerber. born and raised in bluffton, i am happy to announce my friend leah did get out of the black hole (for the time being). :)

many people who know us, especially from the pyg, probably assume that leah and i became friends within the last year. this, however, is not the case. i first heard about leah when my sister molly was her counselor at leah's freshman girls camp. the next year, when i was dreading the fact that my parent's and sisters were basically forcing me to go to girls camp, molly said she would put me in leah's cabin, because she was cool and thought i would like her. well, as with most things relating to me, molly was right, i did like her. unfortunately, it took her a little longer to feel the same about me. i guess when i showed up to girls camp in my teeny-tiny abercrombie plaid shorts with a scowl on my face, i didn't look like the ideal friend picture. who could blame her?

okay so long story short, we became friends, kept in touch throughout the years even after she became a christian and went further the other way. she was never judgemental and was always interested in my life and just a good friend. unfortunately for her, she became one of those people that i was instantly comfortable sharing really personal things with. the other night, after a great (and rather long) dinner together at cheesecake factory, i asked her if i ever overwhelm her when i unload. the look on her face after i asked was the obvious answer to my question... oh leah, thanks for being such an amazing friend. for listening to me, for being crazy with me, and most of all, praying for me for the past few years. this past year, with all the new experiences and hard times trying to forget about my old experiences, you were a true friend and extremely selfless in listening to me ramble multiple times. thank you for being there to listen to things that would make most people uncomfortable and not caring for one moment about the person i used to be. the past year of my life would have been a lot harder on me had you not been willing to be used by God. i love our friendship and love you so much!!