Happy birthday (early), Kim!

Tomorrow is the birthday of one of my bestest friends - Kim. She and I met in college and realized we had several things in common. Among them was that we both loved heavy metal music and boys with hair longer than our own. Keep in mind this was during the late eighties when the "hair bands" were all the rage. She introduced me to bands such as Winger, Poison, Guns and Roses, and many, many others. (We even MET Winger at a record store the day of their concert.)

We would get together every weekend to head to two of our favorite bars. One bar, Danny's, was open until 1 and then we would head to McGruders (is that how you spell it, I wonder?) until 4. Ahhhhh, those were the days. We would leave with our heads ringing from the music and spinning from the alcohol!

Getting ready to go to these bars was just as much fun. I would head to Kim's house - where her room was in the basement (so freakin cool). We would listen to Judas Priest's Livin' After Midnight as we put on our black mini-skirts and poofed our hair out as high as it would go!

I have several wonderful memories of Kim, but two of my favorites are:

1. We went to Daytona for Spring Break. One night our group (there were 5 girls and one boy) went to a bar. Kim and I met these really cute guys from Ireland and went back to their hotel to continue the party. I don't remember why, but I freaked out a little and told Kim I was ready to go home. She, being the trooper she is, agreed and we took off on foot. WELL... we walked, and we walked, and we walked... we chased seagulls, we watched the machinery come out to smooth the sand (it was DARK when we started walking)... we watched the sunrise... we got soaked in the ONLY rainshower of the entire week. Finally, we decided to call one of our party to come get us. After Kim and I woke up later that afternoon, she and I decided to see just how far we had walked. It was like... um... 5 miles. Crazy, I tell ya! But it was fun!

2. Kim had some rowdy friends from high school. One of them married a pretty rough character who rode a Harley. One night, this friend came to Kim's apartment and brought her hubby and two other buddies. We wound up bar hopping and riding on Harley's all night long. I got to ride with the one who liked to be in the lead of the group so I was called the "head Harley whore" all night. Nothing happened between us and the guys! That was probably one of the best nights of my life.

I was with Kim when she met her future ex-husband. She has gone through some rough times with him over the past few years and I admire her for her strength and determination through it all.

She has two beautiful, wonderful little girls and she is doing a fantastic job with them. I am SO proud of her and wish I had the courage and capacity to face all the trials and tribulations like she has done. When the girls look at their mom they see a proud, fierce lady who has only their best interests at heart. They are such lucky kids. They have a great role model.

I miss her, too. We don't get to see each other or talk to one another like we should, but I know she reads my blog. I want her to know much I love her and hope we can get together soon.

Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow, my friend. I think I'm going to get my Judas Priest CD out and listen to it in honor of your day.