Life-long friends...

I have been very fortunate in my life to have met some really wonderful people throughout the years. It's funny how you meet people in different circumstances and situations and you either hit it off and become life-long friends, or you don't. I have so many friends that I've met in different areas of my life, and I am so thankful for the relationships that we've developed. My friend Linda at Behind My Red Door is one of them. We met randomly through ChemoAngels, realized we were practically neighbors, also realized we shared an interest in card-making, and we became life-long friends. I've got my friends that I've known since high school - others I met at the 2 colleges that I attended/graduated from, others that I've met through jobs or friends of friends, etc. I am definitely a people-person, and I really appreciate my friendships.

So anyway - this is my friend Annik (isn't that a pretty name?):

When I started my job at Becker College 4 years ago, Annik was my boss. She trained me, literally taught me everything I know. She left the position of Director of Student Accounts to go back to her home state of Vermont a couple of years ago, but she ended up deciding not to go. So she stuck around at Becker as the Director of Budget & Planning. She stayed involved with my department and has always been there any time I've needed her, which is often (more so lately since I got promoted to Bursar!). LOL She is one of those employees who you can't imagine what you'd do without (I am not alone in feeling this way). She's a patient teacher, she's extremely bright, and she's become one of my best friends.

But I'm going to have to learn to live without her. Annik, being the adventurous and brave individual she is, has decided to go back to school for her Master's degree and possibly join the Peace Corps. She would be PERFECT for it - or anything she wants to do, really. I admire her so much - but I'm going to miss her immensely. A bunch of us at work threw a party for her yesterday at our friend Kim's house. Here's Annik and I:

It's going to be really hard to say goodbye. We are going to go out on Thursday night, have a few drinks and say goodbye. I am definitely going to bring my tissues. Even though I know I will cry, I am very happy for her and what her future holds. I know she's going to do something special with her life. AND - I know we will never lose touch. She's a life-long friend, of that I have no doubt. :o) Thankfully, the Internet makes it much easier to stay in touch and keep updated on each other's lives.

This is me and my friend Denise:
Denise was also my boss at one point before she abandoned me... I mean, took another position that was better for her, hee hee... at another local college last year. I cried when Denise left, too. LOL :o) Hey - how many employees cry when their bosses leave/quit? I bet not too many. I think that is a testament to these ladies and what kind of boss/supervisor/person/friend they are. I wasn't the only one crying when Denise left, and I won't be the only one crying when Annik leaves. Anyway, Denise is another life-long friend. I miss her, but we keep in touch. Without these 2 ladies, I never would have advanced so quickly in my career. They trusted me, had faith in my abilities, and went to bat for me many times. I am so thankful to them for that, but more so for their friendship.

I love you girls! :o) xoxoxoxo Peace.