lovelovelove

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^ever since i was 13, for my birthday i'd have cheesecake instead of regular birthday cake. and for the past 5 years or so, my dad's made it from scratch and it is still the best cheesecake i've ever had.

a few years ago for my Christmas cards, i wrote thank-you's to all the people who had made my year amazing and gotten me through it. recently, lauren did something similar, only for her birthday. so i thought i'd take the time out to thank the following three people for all they've done for me this year. and everyone in between.

you three have been so amazing this year and always open and loving. a completely honest friendship is present with each of you and i am SO grateful and thankful to have you girls in my life and heart.

micaela - not sure where exactly to start; it's really hard to believe that it's coming on a year that we've known one another. somehow, that slow summer really did pass by quickly. caela, you have been such a caring and open-hearted friend; i told you after i received your first letter that it was like speaking to a friend i'd had for many, many years. your ability to be so open and outreaching with your heart and friendship, not just with me but with so many others as well is such an inspiration. thank you for being just an email or phone call away and for all the memories filled with laughter and love we've shared. lovelove you.

paige - you are so amazing. pretty much that. i honestly don't know what my life would be without you in it anymore, you are such a brilliant and compassionate person and friend. for all you've been through and still go through, you will always be an inspiration to me; almost like a big sister, yet four years younger, haha. the love and consideration you exude on a daily basis continues to astound me and i'm so thankful for it. at least saying 'hi' or 'how are you' to one another every day is really lovely, just being able to touch base with a person every day and know that they will answer. the conversations, laughter, and tears we share with one another will be some of my most cherished memories. love you.

bianca - oh my goodness bee. you are SO inspiring and wonderful, with your art and your heart; probably one of the most giving peple i've ever known. it's hard to put into words just how much inspiration you give me along with so many others daily. just looking at the old letters you've send me or your latest mail art zine, my head is full of so many interesting ideas. and out of getting to know you through writing and blogging, you've become one of my really good friends. even if it's just for a small chat, you always make me laugh or smile. the love, compassion, and kindness you've shown and given to me is astounding and i'm so grateful. someday i'll head down to australia to meet you and we'll have letter-writing sessions and bake all sorts of (vegan) treats. love you lady.

lauren & danielle - thank you for being two guiding lights and inspirations. lauren, for all the photos you take and words of inspiration you write. i love you and miss you so much; and hope that 2011 is much better for our friendship than 2010 was. our conversations need a way back into my life, soon. and danielle, you are such an amazing and brilliant lady. your blog posts make me laugh and then cry and then leave me with a big smile every time. the caring and giving heart you have is amazing and the little chats that pop up in my email inbox are so oddly timely; always coming when i loose most faith in people and there's a little email, for whatever about from you, haha. i hope to see our friendship grow in the next year for you are such a lovely light at the end of the tunnel.

april, jennie, megan, and marguerite - the four of you are such brilliant, inspiring, loving, caring and compassionate people. knowing some of you for a long time, the others only for a matter of months. but grouping the four of you together just seemed right. for all of you just say the right thing or ask the right questions or send thoughtful postcards or just @mention on twitter when it's needed most. this is just a little thank you and acknowledgement that i think you girls are awesome and thank you for putting a smile on my face.

to all pen pals - i wish i could give a shout out to all of you. for each and every one deserves it; the letters that come to my box are so lovely and inspiring, i'm asounded by each one after another. all 30+ of you bring something interesting and different to the table when it's time for a letter to be written and i love that, so much. thank you for the long letters, the short ones, the beautifully & elaborately decorated ones to the simple and sweet ones. lovelovelove you guys and what you bring into my life every day when i sit down at my desk to write a letter or postcard. lovelove.