Love Letters Part Three

My Freshman Year of college, I was so blessed to be put on the 5th Floor of Palo Verde East and surrounded by such great people that became great friends! Here are some notes from them!

"I got your present so that you can write notes to people...uh oh...now you know what it is! But anyway, I hope that you have a very happy birthday...I mean, that you're having a happy birthday...Abbi" She was my roommate in the dorm and we shared a room in an apartment the first semester of Sophomore Year too and you'd have to know her to get this message!

"Anna, I hope you like your birthday present. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Please always remember that I am here for you always. You have my number in Hawaii. Steve's number is...Do not hesitate to call. Hopefully I will see you in Hawaii. Call me when you get there. Happy Birthday! Love, Liz" Liz was in a room down the hall with Kat. She shared a room with me the last two years of college as well.

"Anna, I can't believe that we are already through our 1st semester of college. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met you. I feel like I can tell you anything and that you will always be there for me. Just know I will always be there for you. I am going to miss you so much over this month. I don't know what I am going to do!! In such a short time an incredible bond has grown. I hope you have a great Christmas! Love Always, Kat" Kat was in a room down the hall with Liz. She moved in to our apartment to live with us once again for the last year and a half of college.

Here's another card from Kat. It says, "You are a wonderful friend to me...Nobody else makes me laugh 'til I pee." She wrote, "When I was at Target and saw this card, I immediately thought of you! You can always make me laugh and I will always remember how vodka in your system makes you laugh 'til you pee. I am sorry I didn't get a hold of you before you left on your trip to wonderful Hawaii! I hope you have a great time and I can't wait to see you! I am so excited to get back! Love and miss you lots! Love Always, Kat"

On a little construction paper card made by my suitemate, Kirsten, I got this note. "Anna Banana, I love you so much too! You mean the world to me. I honestly don't know what I would do without you. I am so glad we can be open with each other and I thank you for all of our midnight conversations. Thanks for always being there when I need a shoulder to cry on. I'll always be here for you babe. I love you. Love, Kirst"

At the end of Freshman Year, I entered the Maid of Cotton Cotillion after seeing signs posted in the dorms. I got these notes from my friends.

"Banana - I just wanted to wish you good luck in the Maid of Cotton this weekend. I'm positive you will do great and even though I won't be there, I'll still be cheering you on! Beat those "fake wanna-be's" Take care and let me know how you did! Good Luck, Anna! Love, Kirst"

"Anna - Just wanted to congratulate you on your success at the Maid of Cotton Pageant. I knew you would do well. Your personality can cheer anyone up and is definitely a trait you should never get rid of. You are such a good friend. I miss not having you down the hall and can't wait until next year! Just remember I will be in Phoenix the 25th-29th, so we will have to get together. Can't wait to see you. Love Always, Kat"

I competed in the Maid of Cotton Cotillion to see what might happen. I got first runner up and $800, so that's not bad. Plus I already had it in my head that I would be going abroad for a semester, so it was nice not having the conflict. Months later they called to see if I could take the winner's spot because things weren't working out, but I had already committed to studying abroad, so they moved on to the 2nd runner-up. She and I ended up in a class together a couple years later. On top of all that, I ran into one of my swim coaches from elementary school days at the actual cotillion, so that was a nice reunion!

I also got this note from my roommate, Abbi's mother. "Dear Anna - I couldn't let you go back to Glendale for the summer without telling you what a great roommate and friend you have been to Abbi and how much her dad and I appreciate you. You have always been polite when we have called and given Abbi all our messages.You have taken care of Abbi and supported her. I hope she took as good care of you! I am really glad you two are rooming together again next year and we look forward to visiting with you for another year. One thing we can be sure of - Abbi will have a great roommate to share adventures with! I appreciate your protectiveness towards Abbi. Thanks, Anna, for taking care of Abbi and thanks for being the great girl you are! (Sorry, I mean young lady.)"

Before leaving to Florence for a semester, I got this note inside a card from my friends, Chris and Corey. Corey and I still remain quite good friends and he actually lived near me here for two years with his wonderful wife, so Jesse and I were able to visit them a couple times and travel with them a bit.

"Anna, We can't believe you're takin' off for the other hemisphere. Hope it is as fun as it sounds. Do us a favor and please be safe in Italy - we heard about those Italians. Can't wait 'til you come back!! We'll miss you! Love, Chris and Corey...uh! Jiga what!?"(Corey always has to add something. :))

On August 18, 2001 Kat and Graham (dating at the time, now married) wrote a declaration naming me as the Godmother of their first child. Kirsten and Tyson (also dating at the time, now married) were the witnesses. :) I came across the paper when going through my belongings. I'm not their daughter's Godmother, but that's okay! They were just declaring this to make me feel better after someone asked me to actually be a Godmother and then took it back.