The Power - of Power Rangers.

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Happy 40th Birthday to Arden.

When Arden turned 30, I showed up with 30 black balloons.

I'm sure she is expecting the 40 black balloons, AND I was going to send them to her, but I decided I am past that.

Arden and I met in Biology class our first year in college. We met because something was said in a large group about "Power Rangers", we realized that we had sons about the same age. We met because of our hatred of the Power Rangers our sons loved.

We took Biology together, and quite a few other classes. Including an inorganic chemistry class that we both failed, followed by a horticulture class that we got 4.0's in. We took sign language, and didn't find out until the second quarter if our instructor could even speak.

That was 14 years ago.

In that time she has stood by me during a difficult and often scary relationship. She stood by me while I sowed my wild oats (and any other grain I could find). I'm not sure she could tell you how many times I called in the morning and said "I'm going to hell", after I had done something the night before that was crazy.

I teased her about her husband being 10 years older than her, but she got her sweet revenge when I married a man the same age as her husband- 13 years older than I.I know her husband did not approve of our friendship - I was this crazy single woman trying to corrupt his wife. It would take him years to warm up to me, though I know he still shakes his head at me in confusion.

Arden is one of only two people that were there the only time I've been drunk. It was at her house. It was her booze, and I'm pretty sure her fault (something about her not pulling her shots). She had to answer to her husband, while luckily the other 1/2 of the equation got me home safely.

My life has changed so dramatically since we became friends. At times it was crazy, at times it was scary, and sometimes it was even calm. No matter where I was in my journey, she listened to me, she laughed with me and she has always been sincere in her best wishes for me. I know she's worried about me, probably prayed for me, laughed at me, and has been proud of me.

Arden has been married for almost 20 years, has two boys and is nice to everyone. I've never seen a selfish act from her, she is a wonderful wife and mother. She has taught me to be a better person... A more forgiving, understanding and tolerant person.

Happy Birthday Arden, thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me.