10.14.2009

kearney girls


Have you ever been blessed with a friend that, despite the physical distance and lack of contact, you are able to reconnect immediately upon seeing them again? The kind of friend that understands your heart even when you haven't seen them in a year? The kind of friend that you’re able to truly be your self with? Not only have I been blessed with a friend, I’ve been blessed with six of them: The Kearney Girls. No, we’re not from Nebraska, no we’re not a traveling circus act (although, I think we could be), and NO we don’t pronounce it “Carney”. We are the special kind of friends that I speak of. My heart jiggles, jumps, jives, beats harder, and faster every time I think of these girls. The Kearney Girls namesake is a street that is located in the college heart of Manhattan, Kansas. A little rickety old house---or, rather, a large rickety old house---that was the birth place of the Kearney Girls. No, not all of us officially lived in the house but close enough we think. There are also honorary members of the Kearney Girls who are of the male variety (Mike, Kirk, Patrick, Ryan). They, of course, didn’t live there. Hmph…AS IF! In any case, they were very much a part of our college experience (rabbits, raccoons, flaming poo in pizza boxes). Boys!! Sigh.

Ahem….back to the Kearney Girls.

I thought to write this blog because I get to see them (well, all but Drea which I’m very sad about) THIS WEEKEND! Tiff got herself knocked up by one of the male varieties I spoke about earlier and we are going to shower her with gifts and love! I cannot wait. Sooo much changes between our KGR’s (Kearney Girl Retreats) that we never have enough time to catch up. But, when we do see each other, there is a rekindled connection that only happens in these “special friendships” as I call them. The Kearney Girls live in six different cities, have 10 children (and counting), grew up in seven different towns, and all love Jesus. As I greatly anticipate this weekend, I wanted to say a little something about why each of these gals are special to me. Some of these memories are abbreviated but I imagine the recipient of the memory will know what I’m talking about! The memories run deep, as does the love.

Laura: Looney, Looney Bin. The first thing that comes to mind is the weekend we spent at your house while we were in college. I can’t remember why we were there but I remember staying in a bedroom downstairs, your t-shirt quilt, and your parent’s beautiful home. That was a fun trip. We went to a movie and your church, didn’t we? Oh, and how can I forget the endless time I spent in you and Erika’s room during freshman year because of my roommates “extracurricular activities”. Remember that? Oye. Laura, you are SUCH a cool person. You have so many qualities that I love: SO funny (I think your humor is underestimated, by the way), your laugh is one of my favorites, your random thoughts, I think you would truly give any of your friends (and random strangers) the shirt off your back if they asked or even if they didn’t but you felt they needed it (well, as long as the shirt hadn’t already been made into a quilt!). You are one of my favorite miniatures (I always wanted to be shorter so please take that as a compliment). In one word: KIND

Erika: Eeka, Eeks. You were the very first person I met and became friends with in college. We quickly discovered that we both worked at the Union and walked to work together often. You were a kind of person I had never experienced before-an unapologetic Christian. I had been involved with church growing up but to meet someone who so freely talked about their faith was new to me. It was refreshing. It left me wanting more and more and MORE. My faith grew because of you. Memories: oh how I loved going to your hometown with some of the other KG’s—the trampoline, animals, and farm smells. And your little brothers who aren’t so little anymore. The piano and my favorite song that I always requested you to play. Practice up because if Mendy has a piano in her house I’m gonna want to hear it!! “Diaper Water” (enough said there :). Other memories: you and your mom deep-cleaning your room at the Kearney house (scrubbing the walls, windows, trim, etc), you testing the milk before drinking it, chicken nuggets and Italian dressing. In one word: COMPASSIONATE

Mendy: Schmendy. Oh how I love me some Schmendy! I remember when you first started coming to Challenge. I remember the first time I heard you sang (what a voice!) and falling in love with your humor/sarcasm, your family’s Thursday night dinners, your siblings, thinking your hair was pretty cool, being amazed at your ability to eat an entire Pizza Shuttle pizza after dental work! You spent enough time at the Kearney house to certainly qualify as a Kearney Girl. Sometimes more time than the rest of us. I loved when you were there and wished you lived there! There are so many qualities I love about you. You are hysterical, brilliant, humble, a guru about many topics, and a teacher--this is one of my favorite qualities-when you get excited about something you are able to teach others about it in a way that gets them very excited about it, too. I could honestly sit and talk with you for hours about anything you are excited about and leave wanting to do the same whether it’s living a greener life, seeking God with more passion, or even KSU football (okay, that one might be a stretch). In one word: TEACHER

Heidi: Heidi-heidi-heidi-ho. Oh, where to start. Random memories: skinny jeans, breastmilk and cats. Heidi, you are an exceptional woman. You are not afraid of anything and no topic is off limits to you. Want to talk about raising children, breasts, breastmilk, pumping, infant chiropractic services, diet, health, toe jam, that weird stuff in your belly button, labor, hair coloring, pregnancy, ramen noodles, vegetarianism, sex, drugs, rock and roll?---go to Heidi. She’s likely to not only have an answer but will also have research to back up her answers…and she’s likely to be right and you will be amazed and overwhelmed with information at the same time. Heidi is a person that will not let you get by with the “how-are-you-I’m-fine” routine. Nope. You get “how are you really doing” and “what’s really going on with you” kinds of questions and she really truly wants to know the answers. And she gives answers in such a way that is not demeaning. I think you should have been a therapist, by the way. I have many memories of going to your parent’s home, your AMAZING dorm room (if you can even call it that), that snack shop (can’t remember the name!!), life in the Browning House, you’re your teenie-tiny shower, your perfect hair, struggles, triumphs. You are one strong woman, Heidi Casper. In one word: INTENTIONAL

Tiffany: Tiff. I remember meeting you but can’t remember which dorm you were living in. I remember thinking you were so beautiful and dressed so fashionable that you’d never be friends with me! You are such a combination of things: beautiful inside, beautiful outside, good at so many things I wish I was (decorating, fashion, organization, making a person feel special). I miss living in the same city as you. I loved our time together and remember being so (SO!) sad when you said you were moving to Lawrence. What does Lawrence have that Wichita doesn’t? Oh, right…Mendy. Whatever :) Tiff, you are quite an incredible woman. I love how you can make a person feel like whatever they are going through is okay and normal-you have a gift of putting people at ease and just having fun. I have memories of coaxing you out of your room on your birthday with Michael Jackson because you feared getting old, Amaretto Sours, boring names like Bob and Sue, dance class, visiting Beloit, vanilla Dr. Peppers (which you invented, of course), sweet baby voices to Mavie. In one word: COMFORT

Andrea: Drea. Oh how I miss you, Drea! I’m not sure if you’ll ever read this! In one word: PASSION. You’re one word came to me immediately. When you love someone or something you are more passionate about it than anyone. You love in a way that is so intense and emotional that it makes me smile. Memories: you going to beauty school, your amazing vocal abilities, going on a date with your boyfriend :), watching you excel without even knowing it. In fact, I have one more word for you: HUMBLE. You are one of the most humble people I know and while I sometimes want to shake you and say “don’t you know how amazing you are”, I just watch and learn about what humility is and revel in God’s creation of you.

General Kearney Memories: singing in stairwells, Italian cheesesticks, Pizza Shuttle, wayyy too much food, Zebra Cakes, my extra blonde hair dying moment, Mike Lin (enough said), the basement that was condemned (although the rest of the house wasn’t—strange), singing and playing guitars on the roof, visits from honorary Kearney’s, bible studies, quiet times, getting a washer and dryer, the raccoon visit that I SLEPT through (poor Tiff!), crushes—sometimes on the same person, yellow roses, breakups, old McDonald’s food, large electricity bills, throwing mattresses from the 2nd story, dressing up and going to eat at Village Inn, reading the Left Behind Series and being SURE the end of times was coming and walking to Kirk and Patrick’s to prepare, moving in, moving out, tears, laughter, watching You’ve Got Mail about a THOUSAND times, watching The Sound of Music about a MILLION times, clothing swaps, marriages, Thursday nights, babies being born

To my Kearney Girls: each of you holds a special place in my heart and thinking of you makes my soul smile. I love you all in so many ways that weren’t even expressed above. Thank you for being part of my life. I am far beyond blessed to know each of you and I look forward to the many KGR’s to come and am excited for what God has planned for each of our lives. Each of you have had a part in shaping me into the woman I am today and for that I am forever grateful.

Love,

6 comments:

tiff said...

Well, I'm crying. Thank you for taking the time to write this Michelle. It is a beautiful tribute to our special group of girl friends. Michelle: STRENGTH. A woman with purpose and intention, a heart of gold, patience and perseverence. You are one that I could share my deepest darkest thoughts with and know that I would still be loved. You, my sister, are and always will be my kindred heart friend. Love you and see you this weekend for the knocked up event.

Mendy said...

Meesh - I loved your post! Thank you for being such a kind friend and saying such kind words.
Ok here's my Meesh post:
Loves singing in the stairwell, hymns especially. DJ-ed for Angel-95. The cornerstone of the Kearney house for her ability to get along with EVERYONE. A rare quality. So, so hilarious. Remember when we watched You've got mail at least 30 times during finals week? We were too good at procrastinating weren't we? Michelle's one of those people who doesn't just talk about doing something, she'll actually give it a try: remodeling a house (saving the world from ugly exterior paint colors!), going green, going back to school... in a word: ADVENTUROUS.

Erika said...

Oh my gosh, I'm crying. It's so true. I just love you guys. There is a special place just for you 6 women, that no one else can replace!! I just cannot wait to be with all of you this weekend and I so hope that we can share our joys, struggles, ups, and downs, and laugh a lot together. I love each of you dearly!!

Laura said...

This is exactly what I needed today. Thank you for all the nice words. You are amazing. This weekend is so in need for me as I have been working so much I need the retreat. My word for Michelle - TRUE. You are true with your feelings, love and care for all your friends. I can't wait to see you this weekend.

Erika said...

Hey I have a word for Michelle too: GIVING.

Michelle said...

Well, had no idea how emotional I would get writing this blog, let alone reading your responses. Thank you, ladies. You mean the world to me and I meant every single word I wrote. Can't wait for this weekend!