I know this girl. She's got hundreds of loveable quirks, energy that seems to be powered by the sun, the hugest heart, hair for miles & eyes like the sky in July. If I were able to review my life the past 10 years or so, filmstrip style, I'm pretty sure I'd see little flecks of light & stars on every single day we spoke or wrote. This girl has just been so good to & for me, inspired me even in her most broken state, given me strength in some of my saddest hours, trusted me with the neatest secrets, taken genuine interest in my own Missyisms, has been everything from my giggle guru to a surrogate little sister to crystal clear evidence that Alice Liddell still lives.

This girl got married last Saturday, & while I was wading through an ocean of balloons & birthday cake watching my son turn 6, images of blonde hair bled into his smile in a blur of daisyvision. And no one really knew why there was one pink balloon in the giant sea of others & why looking at it bobbing in the sunlight made me weep.

Happy one week wedding anniversary to a couple so cute & so crazy in love. I'm so thankful my friend has found such a rockin' someone who makes her so happy. Congratulations Ashley Rose & Geoffrey. I wish you could have seen me in the audience of faces watching you in awe as you said your vows & started off your new life together. Thank you for setting an example of true love & for being so beautiful & right for each other. I bet the world's biggest cynic might just melt in your presence. You are such a perfect pair. I love you so!