Grace

She was my first Christian friend. She taught me that real friends are the kind who run to you not away from you in times of need. I'll never forget the mix tape she made me--filled with encouraging music--when my parents were going through a divorce. I listened to it over and over. She seemed to understand my pain and my need for some extra TLC. She would send me encouraging notes, and when I saw her handwriting, I knew that I would feel better after reading the contents of her note. We would sit and talk for hours, simply understanding one another's souls. When we failed epically at snowboarding, we decided to sit in the lodge, talk until our voices were cracking, and sip hot chocolate instead. We both agreed that it was a perfectly suitable way to spend the day; who cares about those wasted lift tickets? Time spent with her was safe, slow, and comforting.

We've weathered some storms. She called me out when I was wrong, and I didn't want to hear it. She proved to me that she would remain faithful, even when I tried my best to push her away. She loved me when I hurt her.

I don't deserve her friendship, nor do I deserve her grace, but she's not one to give up on someone.