Dear Lau, The last two years of High School were a couple of the best years in my life because you were my very best friend. We had absolutely nothing in common and were an unlikely pair, but we hit it off right from the start and complimented each other very well. You were short, and I was tall. You had dark hair. Mine was light. You were outgoing and funny- the “life of the party”. I was reserved and quiet. You were self-confident. I had little confidence at all. I tamed you down, and you built me up. You told me in my yearbook that we were .5 + .5 and together we’re number 1. Thank you for that. Laura, I’m going to tell you a little secret. You fascinated me. You were so athletic, artistic, and self-confident. I wanted to be like you. You were so smart, and you hardly had to try at anything you set your mind to. I would study like crazy for an exam and you would barely open the book, and outscore me every time. How did you do that? I will admit that I worried about you because you were a bit of a rebel. Do you remember the party that you went to, where you broke your fingers? You were so trashed, that you closed your fingers in the door and didn’t even feel it. It was then, that I became a bit of a super sleuth. Every time I knew that there was a party being thrown, I would invite you to my house, because I knew that you couldn’t resist. It was something I worked out with Mom. Do you remember the weekend that your parents were gone, and we had to milk the goats all weekend long? I thought it would be just fine, since I came from a dairy farm, and I knew how to milk. Wow! Never have I had such sore hands! We finished the morning milking just in time for the night milking. Those poor goats! I was so excited, when your Mom offered me a goat for just $25. I begged my parents to have her and together, we named her Nikki. She was such a baby. She watched TV with us and snuggled her nose right under our chin. The only rule was that if she pooped in the house, we had to clean it up. So, we chased her around with a dustpan and brush, because of course, when she messed, she was moving! Your mother scolded me so! She got so fat that she was honestly, wider than she was tall! I don’t know if I ever told you, but Dad banished her to the barn after she ate in the insides out of one of the cars and ate the seat of his bulldozer! Lau, do you remember the talent show? We were such hams, but it was so much fun. Do you remember studying behind the curtain on stage during free study, and pushing our chairs together in Mr. Davis’s class- telling him that we HAD to work together, because 2 minds worked better than one? When we spoke together for graduation, it was another highlight in my life. Not only had we had our senior pictures taken together, and planned to room together at UMO, but we had our final goodbye together. The poem, written by Sue Lynch that we read was about friendship and making it last a lifetime… Make new friends but keep the old Those are silver, these are gold. New-made friendships, like new wine Age will mellow and refine Cherish friendship in your breast- New is good, but old is best; Make new friends, but keep the old Those are silver, these are gold. Although you didn’t end up joining me at UMO, we kept getting together when were able. I loved being in your wedding. I felt like a princess, and you joined me in mine. You were instrumental in getting Rusty and I together. I remember you telling me not to use up everything to say early in the evening, otherwise there would be too much awkward silence at the end of the date. I didn’t listen, and my shy boyfriend said nothing and I had nothing more to say. You were right…. I love the pictures of you and Kevin at the wedding. They crack me up. You are all dressed up, dancing with Kevin who has “Laura” on the back of his t-shirt. Then there are pictures of the parking lot. We had no alcohol at our wedding, so you are in the parking lot having a beer, smoking a cigarette, and writing all over our car. You got such a kick out of coming up to hold Matthew after he was born. You kept changing your voice and giggling. I just knew that when Logan was born, he would become your heartbeat. I loved every picture you sent, and the Christmas cards become something I waited for. Life took over, and for a while I didn’t see much of you but I always knew you were out there. I am so glad that during the last 4 years or so, we had found our way back to one another. About a month or so ago, we tried to get together and you cracked me up. Your GPS “Lucille”, led you astray, and you couldn’t find my house. As it turns out, I had forgotten, and was in Waterville fetching a grill part. Bummer. Our plan was to get together with the kids while Logan was home… I’ll miss you my friend, especially your funny Face book statuses, and you beating me at Words With Friends. My last word to you says it right. LOVED. You were loved my friend. Your laughter, enthusiasm, and spirit will forever be in my heart. Thank you for being my friend. Love, “Cin”