Dear Abby...

Did I say Abby? Whoops. I meant to say Adi. Dear Adi.

For those of you who don't know one my best friends Adriel...


BOY are you missing out! She is gorgeous, smart, funny, fun, kind, and basically amazing in every way (can't you tell from the tea cups picture?). I've essentially always known this, but I needed to put pen to paper--so to speak. And shout it from the mountain tops... well, you get what I mean.

I met Adriel in April 2007 at a Romney Campaign Fundraiser in P-town. We were going to be roommates in Washington, DC for the summer, so I had seen her name, but had never met her. So, while I was at a table writing down my name, I see a girl next to me wrote down Adriel, I couldn't help but ask if she was the one! Turns out she was, and apparently I saved her from the worst date of her life. She still owes me for that. ;)

Anyway, summer 2007 was an adventure in Georgetown. Activities included: lunch in the Senate cafeteria, trips to the monuments, reading Harry Potter, late-night boy chats, a trip to Rehoboth Beach, DE, metro rides on the very of tears, spilled waters at Johnny Rockets, and so much more! Not to be mentioned would be McKenzie's sleeping in, annoying morning cell phone alarm, or boy drama.

After our internships ended, Adi stayed in Washington. She was now a full-fledged grown up with a real job on "The Hill". She worked on the House side for a while, during which she made a trip to Utah. In October 2007, Adi came to Utah for forgettable reasons, but lucky for me, we created some unforgettable memories at Brick Oven for my 21st Birthday...



Jessica, Me, Adi, and Ash at Brick Oven - October 2007

One of the best parts of that night was that I got to introduce Adi to Ryan for the first time. Ryan and I had been friends over the summer while I was in Washington, so Adi had heard all about him... in fact, she had gone as far as to call me 'forward' when I mentioned I had taken him cookies for finals. (True, but I denied it at the time.) Although Ryan and I weren't a 'couple' at the time, it was nice to get friend's approval, and nice that she finally got to meet him.

Fast forward through the dating and engagement to May 2008... Adriel again makes the 2,000 mile trek West. This time to be a bridesmaid at my wedding. She and Ash were such amazing supports to me! Oh my gosh. The day before the wedding I had a TERRIBLE crisis. I was having the worst hair day of my life and the two of them stepped in and made everything absolutely perfect. On the day of the wedding they picked up my rings and bouquet and were there for us as we walked out of the temple! I'll always remember one of the nicest compliments that anyone had ever given me... Adi said something along the lines of the fact that I was gorgeous and glowing when I walked out of the temple with Ryan. That to me is a great memory--celebrating the best day of my life with the most important people in my life. I have to admit though that she was pretty gorgeous too that day...



Well, considering it was more than my turn to make the trek East, Ryan and I visited Adriel in January. Ha, more like crashed at her house. Adi was soooo generous. She let us stay in her room, borrow her car, she even fed us at times. We owe her--yes, current tense, still do. It was an adventuresome week in Washington, and the best part was Adi driving us around to the monuments in one night when it was absolutely freezing outside. She would drop us off and circle as we took pictures. That is true friendship.

The trip in January resulted in a summer here in Washington, and it's hard to believe that it's practically over. Adriel has been such a great friend through it all. Whether it be afternoon phone chats about boredom, memorable Sunday School lessons, dinners out, night drives around the monuments, or more boy drama, it has been such a blessing being around her while we've been here. I am grateful that we were paired as roommates two years ago, she is an example of faith, charity, dedication, and optimism. She's always smiling, and I absolutely admire her generosity and friendship. In fact, I am secretly--or not-so-secretly--trying to marry her off to my brother (he's just a little younger) so I can be around her forever...

Anyway, here's to a great roommate, one of my best friends, and basically the sister I never had...