I have been lucky in my life to have a supportive, extremely fun group of girlfriends at various stages in my life; this is especially true as I turn 40. I couldn’t feel more grateful and blessed. I realized today on Tara’s 40th birthday that I have known her since I was 5 years old. We were in kindergarten together at St. Edward the Confessor School, and she lived 13 houses down from me on the same street, where my parents still live today. While we haven’t seen each other in almost 10 years (how could this be?), when we see each other again, we will not miss a beat and pick up right where we left off.

I posted a brief Happy Birthday message to fb earlier today, and I wasn’t sure I would make a whole post. But then I got home from work a little earlier than usual and pulled one box of photos from the closet that also had a trunk full of memorabilia (I did not open it because I have papers to respond to), but I landed on several photos spanning much of our tween/teenage/college years and I was quickly reminded of the fun we had.

People who are not from New Orleans cannot fathom the culture we grew up in where excess of food, alcohol, and religion was a way of life. Especially Mardi Gras week! And with Mardi Gras tomorrow, I just couldn’t resist posting these pictures. I hope she doesn’t mind, but when I think back to the my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, I can hardly do it without also remembering a group of girlfriends and Tara was one of the people who really got me during that sometimes tumultuous time.

I remember one time getting in trouble in high school on Halloween (the exact story is for another blog post), and I knew I had crossed a line with the teacher because I heard Tara whisper to me as I headed out to Sr. Ambrose’s office (the disciplinarian). She looked at me with these very concerned eyes and said, “have you lost your mind?”

I spent plenty a night in high school on the front step of her house talking with her and her mom or sleeping over. Oh, and the laughter…there was always laughter! And while she’s not a part of my everyday life, she’s certainly a part of the woman, partner, teacher, and friend I have am today.

So Happy Birthday Tara…to another 40 years! Here’s just a sample of pics. There are probably thousands from over the years, but these will have to do for now.

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