I don't remember when I met Melissa, but it feels like I've known her my whole life. We went to different schools, but became fast friends and saw each other every Wednesday and Sunday at church. Then, in 6th grade, the greatest thing in the world happened - Melissa moved into my school district! We had several classes together and became even better friends, spent the night at each others' houses all the time, and I went home with her from school every Wednesday. During Christmas break in 6th and 7th grade, we took ski trips to Creede, CO where we stayed in her family cabin.

(If you click on these pictures, you can see where we signed the guestbook in '92 and '93!)

It was a very sad day in 9th grade when Melissa and her mom decided to move to Colorado for good! I have no idea how we did it back then with no cell phones, internet, skype, or frequent flyer miles (we must have written letters!!), but Mel and I stayed in touch.

Finally, 15 years after my last trip to Creede, I got on a plane last year and saw where my oldest friend had been living all this time . . .

So, when Mel called and said she would be in Waco for a weekend to visit family I figured out a way to get there ASAP. We had a magical night of George's, Rollo's and karaoke - and it was like she never left!