The Doggy Diaries... gone to the dogs!

Meet Sylvia

I want everyone to meet my very wonderful friend Sylvia.

(Click on the picture for a larger image.)

Sylvia and I haven't really known each other since we were children as most of you would expect from the fact that this is the first friend I have ever really talked about in my blog. Truth be told, we have only known each other since January 2000 (just under five years). And with the exception of six months (from January 2000 to June 2000), our friendship has spanned half a continent with her living in Indiana and me in California. But I can safely say that Syvlia and I bonded so quickly and so thoroughly during the first six months that we knew each other that we have been able to remain close friends even though about 2000 miles separates us.

Why do I bring this up? Well, Sylvia, being the wonderful friend that she is, knows how much Travis means to me, knows how much it meant to me to be married, and was bound and determined to be there for my wedding, even if it meant leaving her husband at home to take care of their five children so she could come to my wedding.

Now, Sylvia told me that she would be coming, but my memory must have been erased because after the wedding ceremony, after Travis and I had walked down the aisle together and stopped at the end of the ceremony site, I turned around and faced the crowd, and who was the first person I saw? Why, Sylvia, of course! She had been sitting towards the back of the seating area, so I should have been able to see her as I walked down the aisle, but to be perfectly honest, I was so nervous that I had tunnel vision and all I could see was my stepfather and the aisle runner in front of me. (Heck, I didn't even see Travis.) But when the nervousness had dissipated and the deed had been done, Sylvia was the first person I noticed.

Boy, I just about freaked out when I saw her. I started screeching this kind of half screeching / half crying noise and couldn't really talk except to say "Sylvia is here. Sylvia is here. She made it. Oh my G*d, Sylvia is here." Apparently, I really freaked out because Sylvia told me in an email later that although she didn't want me to be crying after the wedding (too late, I was already crying), it made her feel so good to know that her presence meant that much to me.

The very next afternoon, Sylvia and her escort Nick (yes, Sylvia's husband approved of her bringing a friend to keep her company) were to fly back to Indiana, so Travis and I met them at their hotel and went out to breakfast with them. We had a wonderful chat; it was as if Sylvia and I had seen each other just last week instead of last year. That's how it is with us. No matter how long we go between seeing each other or talking with each other, we seem to pick up right where we left off.

I'm not sure what else to say at this point, but I do want to make sure that you all get to see the face of a true friend. She has a family and a busy life in Indiana, but it was important enough for her that she be there for my wedding, so she held true to her word.

Sylvia, if you are reading this, please know how much you and your friendship mean to me and just how happy it made me that you were able to be there to see me get married. You know my history, so you know why that was an important moment in my life. It was only fitting that you be there to take part in it. I think it is a wonderful testament to the strength of our friendship, and I look forward to our friendship growing more and more with each passing year.

P.S. - The picture of Sylvia was taken by Nick during one of their hikes in the Montana wilderness.