Abby Tonda || There are those people in your life who truly make you feel so lucky. The one’s who you question why they hung around, but you are so thankful that they did. Abby is one of those people.
When I close my eyes and reminisce about freshman year, 80% of what I see is things we did together. We bonded that year during our athletics retreat over the mutual fact that we both were terrified of change and especially college. We were so scared of what we were losing; comfort, friends, and time with family. Time has a way of revealing truths that we didn’t see coming and one of those that we would learn was that the loss of our former lives would be worth it for all that we were gaining.
Although we didn’t have a lot in common, we were always willing to understand each other on a deep level. Sharing our struggles with anxiety and depression over crackers and peanut butter in the prayer chapel on campus was a favorite. We were there for each other through all the good, the bad, and all the firsts in our life. Abby and her husband met on the team just like my fiancé and I did. We both started dating around the same time. These were Abby and my first relationships. We were there, celebrating and struggling together.
We had our moments, one in particular that almost ended it all. I take the blame mostly, but Abby never ceased to pursue our friendship and eventually we came to a place of forgiveness. We picked up the pieces and came back stronger. I am thankful always that Abby didn’t write me off, because I would have lost a companion, a listener, a truly kind and gentle soul, and someone who will walk through life with me, even if that will be at a distance in the coming future. I am so relieved that I have someone so dependable that I don’t have to worry about the miles. Simply put, she is the sister I never had.
There is a quote that says "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." It is so true. Despite all the good, bad and the brokenness we felt at times, all the pain in the process landed us where we are today. It may not have been what we imagined, but it made us stronger.
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To my Maid of Honor, before I go I hope you know that you are truly special to me. When I think of a best friend - someone who is truly beautiful inside and out, someone who I know will never use me, and someone who I can confide in me - I think of you. I don't know where I would be without you or even if I would have made it past that freshman year. I am so thankful for you and I truly do love you. I can't wait to have you with me to celebrate at my wedding and for you to come visit me in Texas so we can have many more adventures.
This is the second post in a project series about the impact of people in my life personally. All stories are published with the consent of those contained within. Photos are copyright Cambria Bailey Photography and Videography. Do not edit or crop them in any way.
When I close my eyes and reminisce about freshman year, 80% of what I see is things we did together. We bonded that year during our athletics retreat over the mutual fact that we both were terrified of change and especially college. We were so scared of what we were losing; comfort, friends, and time with family. Time has a way of revealing truths that we didn’t see coming and one of those that we would learn was that the loss of our former lives would be worth it for all that we were gaining.
Although we didn’t have a lot in common, we were always willing to understand each other on a deep level. Sharing our struggles with anxiety and depression over crackers and peanut butter in the prayer chapel on campus was a favorite. We were there for each other through all the good, the bad, and all the firsts in our life. Abby and her husband met on the team just like my fiancé and I did. We both started dating around the same time. These were Abby and my first relationships. We were there, celebrating and struggling together.
We had our moments, one in particular that almost ended it all. I take the blame mostly, but Abby never ceased to pursue our friendship and eventually we came to a place of forgiveness. We picked up the pieces and came back stronger. I am thankful always that Abby didn’t write me off, because I would have lost a companion, a listener, a truly kind and gentle soul, and someone who will walk through life with me, even if that will be at a distance in the coming future. I am so relieved that I have someone so dependable that I don’t have to worry about the miles. Simply put, she is the sister I never had.
There is a quote that says "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." It is so true. Despite all the good, bad and the brokenness we felt at times, all the pain in the process landed us where we are today. It may not have been what we imagined, but it made us stronger.
...
To my Maid of Honor, before I go I hope you know that you are truly special to me. When I think of a best friend - someone who is truly beautiful inside and out, someone who I know will never use me, and someone who I can confide in me - I think of you. I don't know where I would be without you or even if I would have made it past that freshman year. I am so thankful for you and I truly do love you. I can't wait to have you with me to celebrate at my wedding and for you to come visit me in Texas so we can have many more adventures.
This is the second post in a project series about the impact of people in my life personally. All stories are published with the consent of those contained within. Photos are copyright Cambria Bailey Photography and Videography. Do not edit or crop them in any way.
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