For Jen

***If you came here via Laurie's blog looking for the funny story, scroll down to the next post.***

I met my friend Jen when P.K. was stationed at Great Lakes. Jen lived behind us and about two houses down. The schools in the area surrounding base housing were less than desirable so we homeschooled while we were there. Jen was also a homeschooler. Her daughter and Rachel were best friends. I couldn't begin to count the number of hours they spent at each others house.

Jen is also the reason I started drinking coffee. No, she didn't drive me to drink. When I would walk Rachel to her house, she would always have a pot of coffee on and invite me for a cup. We had just moved from 29 Palms and I really wanted a friend. If it took drinking a cup of coffee to win this lady over, then I was going to suck it up. Eventually I started making coffee if Jen was dropping her daughter by our house. I knew I could easily talk her into sitting and chatting a while if there was coffee to be had. How I miss those chats over a hot mug.

Jen had some hand-me-downs from her daughter to pass on and she had one special Christmas dress. I know there are certain items of clothing that have sweet memories attached and are harder to let go of than others. It is always easier to part with them if I know the child I am giving them to. That was the case with the Christmas dress. Hannah just turned three before we left Great Lakes. Jen dubbed her "Miss Three." The dress has been tucked in the back of her closet waiting for the Christmas that it would fit.

Hannah had her preschool Christmas program this past Tuesday night. Guess what, Jen. The dress fit. I thought you would like to see it on Miss Three.