(Little) Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

When I first met Diamond, I never imagined in a million years she would become my "little sister" the following year. I was taking an Honors Theater Appreciation class during my first semester at MTSU. Since recruitment occurred in the first couple of weeks, I was super proud to don my newly acquired Greek letters to every class, every meeting, everything. Diamond was the super smart girl who sat in the front row, had an opinion about everything, and knew something about everything. One of her opinions was that sorority girls were dumb. She has said before that she doesn't remember thinking this, but I remember it to be true! ;) Thank goodness K and I were in that class to show her (and everyone else) that the assumption was completely untrue! In fact, I'd like to think we changed some opinions!

Anyway, suffice it to say I was completely shocked with Diamond walked through the doors during recruitment in 2003. I had no doubts she would get a bid - she's incredibly intelligent, completely beautiful, involved in a million different things, held leadership positions on campus, and can talk to a brick wall. When she joined ADPi, we immediately reconnected. When she became my "little sister" aka "Little Diamond," we were bonded for life. The day she became my little Diamond wasn't the best day for me personally. We happened to be getting little sisters on the same day I found out my parents were separated/ing. But, I was determined to make it a wonderful day for Diamond, and I like to think our struggles brought us closer.

Over the next three years, we spent a ridiculous amount of time together. We cried over boys who broke our hearts, laughed together through the late nights of Homecoming, danced our way through formals, and spring-breaked together when we needed a break from the world. Diamond was one of my best friends throughout college and has since remained one of my closest confidants. We continue to support each other through numerous struggles, joyfully reunite whenever possible, and catch up as often and as best we can even though our schedules are incredibly different.

Today I still tell Diamond pretty much every single thing. She is still one of the most beautiful people I've ever met - inside and out. She is still making the world a better place through her heart and her work. We've been through a lot together since we met over eight years ago. But the beautiful part about friendship like ours? It just keeps getting better. I am so blessed to have someone I love literally like a sister stand beside me on my wedding day. She's the only little sister I've ever had, and she's the only one I'll ever want. In June we'll have five generations of my Diamond family standing together for a picture! Just one of MANY reasons to be excited!

<> OBIC <>

2004 - Kristin, 2003 - Lea, 2002 - Mandie, 2000 - Andrea

Joining us in June for a reunion picture - 2005 - Alison

A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.

It all started when my overly poofy 80's era hyper color dress smacked her in the face while she was leaning down to reach her cubby hole in second grade. Seymour Cuban and I become instant friends, and we've stayed that way through Beta club, boy drama, religious conversions, graduations, and a whole lot more in between. She's the bridesmaid I've known the longest, and our history is filled with more crazy stories than I have time to write about on this blog.

In middle school, when I decided to attempt a sport, she didn't laugh at me too hard when I was a terrible soccer player. In high school, she helped me get on the yearbook staff when there really weren't any spots open. In college when my parents divorced, Seymour Cuban opened up her guest room to me anytime I came home for a holiday and didn't want to have to choose between the parents. When I gradauted college and was about to move to South Carolina for grad school, she threw a "Mandie's Going Away Again" party complete with yellow solo cups. She's been to every graduation, no matter how far she's had to drive. She celebrates with me with every up and mourns with me when I'm upset. She knows when to take me swimming in a margarita and opens up her life when I just need a safe place to hide out for a while. No matter what, I can without hesitation say she has always been there for me. Even at our worst teenage drama, I've always known she and I would always be friends. I know I can always count on her, and I think she knows she can always count on me, too.

Seymour Cuban loves the people she loves without any pretense or expectations. She'll go out of her way without a second thought and never expects anything in return. She has supported me with every decision I've ever made, even if she's told me it probably wasn't the best idea. She's unassuming, incredibly thoughtful, and always has my best interests at heart. She is that friend you can call in the middle of the night no matter what it is, and she'll be right there.

I've known for years that I wanted Seymour Cuban to stand with me on my wedding day. She's stood by me through so much, it just wouldn't be the same without her there on such an important day. P and I were lucky enough to watch her say "I do" to her sweetheart in a small, private ceremony. We were the only "friends" in attendance. That's because she is more than my friend - Seymour Cuban is part of my family. The family you choose for yourself. The family you build over many years. It's been 19 years since I met Seymour Cuban. It's been an incredible ride, and I can't wait to see where we're going next.

Seymour High School 2000-2001

"Somebody's gonna drop everything, run out and crank up their car, hit the gas, get there fast. Never stop to think 'what's in it for me' or 'it's way too far." They just show on up with their big old heart. You find out who you're friends are." - Tracy Lawrence

It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.

Napoleon and I were not exactly "friends at first sight." The first time we really talked to each other was at our graduate program's annual Rock Your Undergrad Welcome Back Cookout. I tried to tell her that we should get our dogs together to play, and she tried to tell me to get lost. Napoleon thought I was a dumb sorority girl. And I thought Napoleon had, well, a slight Napoleon complex. I don't remember the exact moment we actually became friends, but I remember being in the same group for our theory class project. Nothing will bring you together like analyzing personality and learning theories. Sometime during that semester we realized we actually liked each other. By Halloween we were half of the Best-Costume-Winning Golden Girls. The next year we decided to live together. Our dogs did, as it turns out, love playing together, even though Sam could drag Pongo around with a rope toy.

Napoleon doesn't let people in easily. That actually makes me feel pretty darn special. She is picky, and I love that about her, even though it made living with her challenging sometimes. I like to think it was good practice for living with routine-driven P. When she chooses to let you in her life, she will love you harder than anyone else ever has. She is brutally honest but also very kind with her words. She feels with you, just like she is experiencing the exact same emotion. She is very practical, except when it comes to shoes. She is introverted and needs her time alone, but she didn't kill me when I blasted music early in the morning and wanted to talk through everything. She is that friend I call when I need a reality check. She is incredibly thoughtful and surprises you with it because she's not mushy at all. Some of my favorite memories of Napoleon are sitting on the couch, eating whole pickles, watching Hannah Montana, and cuddling with our pups. She is that friend you can just be with. Silence isn't awkward, and you always walk away feeling refreshed. And, she isn't afraid to hurt your feelings. That's probably my very favorite thing about Napoleon. She doesn't aim to hurt your feelings, but she would rather bruise your ego a little bit than watch you get yourself into a bad situation that you might get stuck in. I firmly believe that's what makes someone a true friend.

I was blessed to be able to stand by Napoleon on the day she said "I do." I love her and Marky Pooh so very much. Now I get to love on her little boy, too. After P proposed, I immediately started talking plans with her. Funny story though, I actually forgot to ask her to be in the wedding. I'd assumed it was just understood. Good thing she feels the same way, otherwise this blog post would be super awkward.

The real test of friendship is: can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple? [Eugene Kennedy]