September 14, 2006 @ 2:03 pm | Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

I remember the day I saw her for the first time. It was in the old theater building where we held church services while the new building was being constructed. She, her husband, and their new little baby boy were in town visiting his parents.

Tall, regal, and quiet are three adjectives I would use to describe my first impression of Dawn. It would only be much later - in the years that would follow - that I would add to that list: warm, compassionate, and trustworthy.

Since my own parents and her in-laws were best friends, it only seemed natural that after Dawn and Kevin moved to Texas that we would become really good friends. What I didn’t realize at the time was just what a pivotal role Dawn would eventually play in my life.

Over the past five years we’ve moved from a casual friendship to a deep, soulful friendship that includes sharing confidences, providing a safe shoulder to lean on, and being prayer partners. She and her family moved again last year and are now pastoring a wonderful, growing church in Indiana. But she will always remain close in spirit and in heart.

Tomorrow is Dawn’s birthday. So, in her honor, here are thirteen things I find unique, fascinating, and yes - maybe even entertaining - about Dawn. And when you’re through reading this list, how about popping on over to Truly Living and leaving Dawn a little comment love…!

1. Dawn loves coffee. Seriously. If you don’t believe me, then check out the links section of her blog. Uh-huh…see what I mean?
2. She has a heart for people who are hurting and in need. I’ve witnessed this great compassion many, many times.
3. She was raised in Mississippi, but don’t hold that against her! No,really, I LOVE her accent.
4. And when you really want a good laugh, get her to do her sister’s accent!
5. Chocolate comes in Number Two on Dawn’s list of favorites…
6. …or is that Diet Coke? Hmm…well, those are Numbers Two and Three, at any rate.
7. Dawn once sang karaoke. For real. It was at the Relay for Life last year.
8. It was after midnight, we’d been walking for over six hours, and she gets really punchy when she’s tired.
9. Kevin was out of town. In fact, he was up in Indiana, preaching for the church they now pastor. She did an…um…amazing rendition of "Baby, Come Back" and dedicated it to her one and only.
10. Dawn is a wonderful mother to their children. I love that she uses cookie cutters to make the kids special pancakes. Now when I see cookie cutters, I think of Dawn. I bought her a big ‘ol Texas-shaped one a few months back and mailed it to her. We can’t have those poor children forgetting their Lone Star State roots, now can we?
11. Dawn was one of my inspirations in going back to school. I watched her and several other friends begin this journey and I began to slowly realize that I could do it too. She is very close to beginning her Masters and I. am. so. PROUD of her!
12. I like it that my husband makes her cry. I’m not strange, really. It’s just that on each visit, whether they are here leaving to go back home, or we’re there and saying good-bye to begin our trip back here, all Mike has to do is look her in the eyes and tell her that he misses having all of them here and…waterworks. Everytime. It’s nice when your husband appreciates your friends. And when they love him right back.
13. She may be living several states away, but she’s always close in my heart. Happy Birthday, Dawn! We love you!