as i continue to go through avery's birthday pictures i immediately had to upload and share a few of these. i have a friendship that is so rare in life many people never experience it. we've been friends for roughly 13 years i think. we met in the 4th grade, hung out all the time, went to camp together, went on vacation with our dads, and lived together in the dorm. we haven't been in the same city for almost 6 years now but i know i can call her anytime if i need anything and i think she knows its mutual. it's pretty normal to hang out for a few days and then say goodbye. but, it's a little harder now. she loves avery and avery loves her. it's rare for a non family member to love your own child as much as you do, but she does. how do i know this? because when mentioning mark and i coming to visit her alone she said "but then i wouldn't get to see avery". that response alone should tell you everything. we love aunt alli, formerly know as ala. :) we all do and she means so much to us. all of us.