I met Mary Lou at St. Agnes freshman year. She got on the bus way before me and I was one of the last ones to get on, she would save the seat next to her for me. We both wore braces at the time and that was our first connection. We shared lunch almost daily for those 4 years even though our schedules were different with classes. Thinking back I remember my dear friend for years would struggle with that "Stomach from Hell".Later years we shared weddings, our children stories and even with the huge distance between us we would pick up the phone and the conversation right where we ended. Later years after I retired we would talk weekly, and we had absolutely no hobbies in common but we never seemed to end our visits before and hour or more. When I finally got her walked through the whole FaceBook thing she really sprouted, the reconnection with friends and family was great, she really enjoyed it since traveling was out of the question for her. We shared recipes, new foods we tried and of course there were dog stories. Oh those dog stories! It's funny but over the years there were times when the phone would ring just once and that caller ID always showed who it was and then our visits would start, Sometimes I'll look at my phone early afternoon and thing, yup this would be a good time to call "Bones" (that was her nickname in HS) Life long friendships are cherished and held close and this one surely has.

Mary Lou, my oldest friend I am so glad we were able to reconnect a few years ago.   We met at the age of 10 in elementary school in Rochester, New York.   I have such awesome memories of Mary Lou and her mother Margarite.   They both were truly beacons of light and love to me.   My most cherished childhood memories involved Mary Lou and her mother.   We went blackberry picking with Mrs. Little and then made blackberry jam.   If I went to school early enough to stop and pick up Mary Lou there was always toast with that jam.  Yum!!  Sleepovers were so fun - there were all kinds of toys and games in the attic - Mystery Date was a favorite game!  LOL   

Mary Lou  invited me to participate in Pioneer Girls and also invited  me to go to the Nazarene church with her every week for several years.   I learned to love Jesus Christ and prayer through my experiences there.  

We endured Junior High School at West High school in Rochester.   There were lots of shenanigans and we had lots of amazing talks walking the mile home.     Mary Lou and I went  to a Christian Summer camp a couple of times.  When my family didn't have enough money for camp Mary Lou brought many of her toys to my house to sell at a garage sale so that I could go to camp.    

Before 9th grade began West High shut its doors.   Mary Lou went to St. Agnes and I went to Madison High School.   We didn't get together very much any more but I still felt so attached to the family.   In 1972 my twin brother, Roger, died very suddenly.   The only thing I wanted to do upon his death was to go to Mary Lou and Margarite.   I rode my bike over to Winbourne Road first thing in the morning - pretty sure I woke them up.  I knew I would receive comfort and love from them more than anywhere else.   And I wasn't wrong!

After High School we lost touch for many years.  I corresponded with Mrs. Little from time to time and wanted to reconnect.   In 2017 my family moved from Idaho to Utah and in all the moving I found a letter from Mrs. Little with Mary Lou's married name.   She wrote about Dale  and Emily and David.   That is all I needed to search Facebook and I found Mary Lou!!      It has been a real blessing reconnecting - talking to her on the phone was just like no time had passed at all,   Same old Mary Lou!!   haha      How blessed I have been to find her again and to enjoy the last few years of her Facebook posts and musings!   

God bless you Dale, Emily, David and families as you navigate life here on out...I know you are exceptional people because you are connected to an exceptional lady!   No doubt Mary Lou is checking Facebook and reading this in heaven - I love you my dear friend!