blessing #31: jenika

jenika has a lot of love to give. she gives of it freely, and generously. to know her is to know her boundless enthusiasm and unflagging support. our own connection blossomed from work acquaintances to weekend confidantes over the course of a year, fueled by a shared keenness for photography, 80’s music and dirty dancing quotes. i was drawn to her directness, and humor, and her dualistic nature; she has the sophistication of an urbanite, but the heart of a country girl. she’s opened her heart, her home and her family to me, and shared with me the people and places that make her soul sing. she reminds me of the importance of celebrating the positivity in our lives, and of paying that forward by celebrating others. i always feel lucky to be considered one of her peeps, and she one of mine.

blessing #28: jasmine

jasmine and i were circling within the same universe for awhile before our planets starting orbiting each other. but once we came into synch, it was like we’d always been there. we formed a quick bond built on broken hearts, shared vices and a love for jeff tweedy. jazz and i like to get into the meat of things, dig around in the treasure chest of awareness and see what nuggets of understanding we can uncover. this line of query would drive a lot of people mad, but for us, it has always been a strange source of sustenance. i love jazz for her high-brow intellect and her low-brow humor, her deep insight and informed mind, and for the wonderfully poetic paint brush that colors her world. we don’t get to talk nearly as often as we’d like, but i only have to think of her to know there’s another soul out there who understands who i am and where i’m coming from.

blessing #26: megan

meg mccarter is a special kind of gal. my first official friend in los angeles, she welcomed me and tony into her circle, and into her family, rescuing us from a perpetual party of two and helping our new town begin to feel like our home town. i love her for her kindness, her integrity and her spirit. she inspires me to reach for my dreams, and reminds me that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. she’s got a heart of gold, and the sassiest of wits. and if i was ever in bind, i know she’d be the first one by my side. i’m not sure what i did to deserve her graciousness, but it is not a gift i will soon take for granted.

blessing #24: jess

there are people in your life without whom you would not be the same person. jess is undoubtedly one of those people for me. she dropped out of thin air and into my 10th grade life one day, where i was drawn to her like the proverbial moth. she took me in with her giant grey eyes, and then took me into her open heart. and there i learned the brilliance of her prismatic perspective, which opened up my own point-of-view. i’ve never met, nor hope to meet, anyone quite like her.

blessing #22: cara

cara was my reward for having to stick it out at a shitty restaurant job a couple months longer than i really wanted to. there she was behind the bar one night, all sassy. and southern. and graciously interested in the new diamond ring i was showing off to anyone and everyone within eyeshot. a friendship soon blossomed, born of a mutual love of yoga, true blood, and fine food and drink. in the five years since, we’ve shared adventures and many a meal, supported each others dreams, and been counsel and counseled to one another countless times. she helps me connect to the pluses of a city that often drowns me with its minuses, and is one of my favorite partners to pass the time with. life in los angeles would be a lot less vibrant without her in it.

blessing #19: beth

i met beth in the halls of eric hamber secondary in the opening chapter of my canadian life. i was the new girl from california with the inadequate winter jacket and penchant for all things sunflower. she was my quietly cool locker neighbor with the cute sweaters and penchant for punk. she was something of a hard nut to crack in the friendship department; didn’t give her bond out casually. but i somehow convinced her to let me in. and soon discovered some special things about her. like her adorable silent giggle. or her undying love for bunnies. or her sensible but courageous spirit. or her giant, sweet heart. as personalities go, we’re a real yin and yang duo. but it turns out we’re both seekers, and what we’re looking for from life is unquestionably in synch. she helps me stay true to who i am, and reminds me of what’s most important in life. and no surf trip or circle around the campfire is ever complete without her.