Africa is too far away...

On her 20th birthday, at my old apartment on campus

Yesterday @ 3pm, my best friend Stephanie left from the US to Tanzania, Africa for the biggest adventure of her life. I am SO excited for her, but my heart aches for her return. She is one of the most fabulous, brave, talented, kind, compassionate, intelligent, determined, beautiful women I have ever known or even heard of, and I can't believe that I get to call her "bestfran".

A couple years ago at our friend Chelsey's engagement party

I know she is going to have such an amazing time in Africa. It has always been her dream, and I am so proud of her for working so so hard and saving up the money to go. I'm seriously impressed. I definitely don't have the guts to do that.

On her 21st birthday! Drinkin her pomegranate mojito

It's weird to see her on my speed dial and know that I can't call her for over 4 months, but it sort of makes me happy because I realize that she is getting to live out one of her biggest dreams. I'm so excited to see her and hug her in 4 months, and listen for hours about all of her adventures and how it impacted her life. But right now, all I can think about is how long 4 months seems. It's totally different living in different cities for a couple months over the summer, but knowing I can drive a few hours & see her, or call her whenever I want. But she is on the other side of the world right now, and that's just a bit too far away for my comfort.

Beginning of Junior year

All I have to say is, when she gets back we are having one hell of a party!!!!! =)

I love you Steph. Be safe in Africa. Don't get too close to wild elephants (remember that show we watched!!!!). Find a hot foreign dude, and bring him back to the US with you. Oh, and don't forget to bring us all back some African music (sung in Swahili, of course!). We expect you to be fully fluent in Swahili when you return. We also expect you to be a lot more tan. Just saying.

I LOVE YOU STEPHANIE CREASY!!!! and I already miss you.

All of us girls, back during Sophomore year