Happy Birthday Jenny!!

December 27, 2009

Today is a day to celebrate. . .Jennifer Holcomb was born ?? years ago.  The whole world, especially me, is  happier, more fun, a little brighter, and generally better off because of this. 
I met Jenny, as I call her... apparently, she is Jen to her Portland friends and Jenni-FER to Gary, in law school.  We hung out a lot one summer when we were both up in Phoenix clerking.  We had fun sunning ourselves and going to dance clubs.  The good 'ol days.  Actually, I much prefer the current "days" to my 20s. 
We both moved to Phoenix after law school and began our "adult" lives: careers, dogs, houses, dinner parties, etc. 

(NYE 1994)

A few years later she and Gary moved to Portland, Oregon.  Oh how sad I was!  I went over to their adorable historic house in Willow and watched as a HUGE moving truck packed up all her belongings and took her away.  Did I mention how sad I was?
On the bright side, I got to visit her in her new old house in the East Moreland neighborhood of Portland (did I spell that right?).  It is an amazing area: old homes, huge trees, very picturesque.  She and Gary showed me the Orgeon coast and Jenny and I visited Columbia River Gorge.  Have I already said that Portland is one of the most beautiful places I've been?  I'll qualify that by admitting that I have yet to go when it rains. . .I've been lucky that way. 
She and Gary came up to Seattle to see Tom and I when we were there on our honeymoon.  I told you she was a good friend... who else would I want to see on my honeymoon besides Tom? Jenny of course. 

1997

We were pregnant with both of our kids at the same time.  We had our boys a couple months apart and then almost three years later, we had our girls DAYS apart. 

1997

I've taken the kids, and sometimes Tom, to Portland about every other year.  The kids love to see each other and Jenny and I talk nonstop, eat, shop, look at houses, and watch movies.
When her family unexepectedly moved across the country to New York, I came to visit her in Portland one last time (or so we thought).  And I made sure to visit her in New York adventure when she learned that was actually not a permanent move.  She treated me to an AMAZING tour of the city and a Broadway show.  Katie showed me the American Girl Store and Nate showed me how the subway system worked.

2007

She and Gary ended up back in Portland.  I took the kids to see her in ANOTHER fabulous old home.  It reminds me so much of their other Portland home that sometimes I forget she ever moved.
I also head to Tucson whenever she is in AZ to visit her parents.  How could you not take a short two-hour drive to see your best friend?  Once I even met her for lunch in the Phoenix airport when she had a long lay over.  We try to see each other as often as we can, which is never often enough for me.
Last Christmas I got a trip to Portland.  It's been almost a year since my last visit.  I think I am due for another one... or maybe she will bring the family to sunny Scottsdale. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY!  I MISS YOU!
Jenny & Nate at a fun Portland festival.  2005(?)

Katie & Grace with Tucker at the Holcomb's new(then) Portland house. 2008