Smartypantsless

When I first met T2 so many years ago, she very kindly told me, "I'm sure you are nice and funny, but I have more friends than I can handle and I'm stressed out and I just can't be friends with you."

I took it as a challenge.

For months, she had an email card waiting for her every morning. And I mailed a card about once a week. I sent gifts. It wasn't even because I desperately wanted to be her friend. I didn't know her that well. I had just never had someone end a friendship before there was one. And, I had a boring office job that left me with some time on my hands.

5.5 years ago, she picked me up from the airport when I arrived in Portland. I am so thankful that she broke her resolve. She kept me sane when I moved here. She keeps me sane now. She knows when to show up with wine and veg out or drag me out and talk. She watches Degrassi with me and goes dancing at 1am on a school night. She connects me with opportunities and jobs. She also provides a ton of free therapy.

A favorite moment: We're being harassed by churchies asking, "Why don't you want to go to church?" as we are walking down a street. T2, a churchie on a church staff, turns and says, "because we're drunken sluts." She then turns to me and says, "I hate pushy churchies." awesome.

I can't imagine Portland without her, but it is soon to be a reality. She's heading towards her heart in El Salvador, to share her light and talent with those that need her. I'm jealous and selfish and excited. It's gonna be so weird. I don't know what made me campaign for her friendship back then, but I will always be thankful I did.