one year older and wiser too!

This beautiful girl- is Mckensie Naomi Wilkinson! Why did I just post a nice, big picture of her you ask? Simply because it's her birthday- and she means SO much to me, I had to document on my blog! Mckensie, you are the most wonderful friend a girl could ask for. There have been many, many times in my life where you have been there for me, often times the only one there for me, and I want to tell you how much I love you! Here are 21 memories, qualities and things I love about you,

1. your enthusiasm! all through elementary, junior high(pretend like we were as good of friends in junior high as we were in elementary and highschool), and high school- you were the energy in our group of friends. whenever we'd go out on the weekends, you always brought so much fun into everything we did. you made everything exciting and fun. your humor never seemed to cease. i will never forget the time we were driving onto kempner road in my blue mini-van and you belted out singing in an almost too manly voice. the car had been silent for the last 5 minutes, and you were sure to get us laughing again with your quirkiness.

2. your devotion. every single moment in my life that was even the teeniest bit difficult, holds a memory of you. you were there- EVERY single time. i honestly cannot recall any time in my life that you did not come through for me. it took me years to realize this about you- and since then i've continued to notice your devotion and friendship to me, and you have not let me down. one of the hardest times in my life was moving to farmington- i felt so alone and it seemed as if my friends had all forgotten me. you were the one friend (bringing camille along) that drove all the way to farmington time and time again. you will never know how much that truly meant to me.

3. your testimony. in highschool i was always amazed to see you show up with wet hair and a skirt. i was amazed because i knew that meant you had waken up before the sun to go to the temple and do work for the dead. when you started inviting me i felt like the luckiest person. now that i have a testimony of my own, and i know that a large chunk of it came from those weekly temple trips, i owe you thanks for being a great example.

4. your memory. you always remember important dates- even the important dates in my life that have little or no meaning to you. except, they do have meaning to you somehow- and it's because you have such a tender heart.


5. your style. hands down you are, will, and always have been the most stylish of any of us girlfriends. we all tried to look like you and be like you- but never quite figured out how to do as well as you. i always admire your taste and class.



6. your ideas. i never have to worry about being bored with you. even if we ended up sitting in your room all night you were sure to supply us with exciting kissing books, wedding magazines (keep in mind we must have been 16 at the time) and anything else you can imagine.

7. your spontaneous-ness. going along with your good ideas- not only did you create good ideas, but you were spontaneous enough to navigate them. i have one too many memories of drive by's, going through the wendy's drive through to ask for straws and napkins, picking up cones and lining them across the street, and anything else imaginable!

8. your creativity. although i didn't completely realize this common hobby of ours until recently, i am still amazed at the works of art that come from your hands. everything you put your hands on comes out with some sort of fashion on it.

9. your rebel side. i can't remember for sure, but i THINK it was you that was always coming up with ways to torture teachers, young women's leaders, peers, etc.. etc. it was never anything mean or offensive, but being a teaser myself, i always enjoyed laughing with you after our teasing extravaganzas.



10. your compassion. you can always tell when something is up. i don't even have to tell you. even when i'm no where near you it seems like you know. i never have to worry about dealing with life on my own- because i know that if i mention one word to you, you will go far and beyond what i ever expected or needed.

11. your spirit. your fun spirit, but also your gospel Spirit. you radiate. your countenance glows. it would be impossible to look at you and not realize you're a daughter of God. you have a testimony and you're not scared to share it.

12. your friendship. you include everyone around you in all you do. you have such a special ability to involve everyone. i remember in highschool, you were always bringing someone around to eat lunch with us. it didn't matter if you never learned their name, if they had one leg, or if no one else liked them- you did, and that's all that matters.

13. your hugs. i vividly remember standing in the courtyard at skyline highschool. it was a rainy day and i was bawling. you stood there and hugged me. i don't even know what you said to me, you might not have said anything- and it wouldn't have mattered, because your hug left such an impact i never had to question if you cared.

14. your laugh. laughing in the car, laughing in class, laughing in gamma, laughing on your bed, on the couch, laying on the floor- anywhere. most my memories of us include laughing hysterically. you always have a good story, and even if you don't, you make one up.

15. your imagination. remember the time you, kelby, and i made a fort on the clothesline in your yard? the thing i remember most about it is the wild and crazy stories you told us. i remember you telling me thrilling stories as we sat on the salt-box at upland terrace elementary during recess and talked of our wish to shave our legs. the stories did not stop after elementary- your lengthy notes passed in the hallways in highschool always had a good story- and from there you have filled my facebook and text message inbox with fabulous stories. would you write a book already?



16. your ability to know. you always know what to do. you always know who's a good friend. you always know if it's right or if it's wrong, and you always know to do the honest thing even if it's hard.

17. your support. showing up on my doorstep to offer words of advice. driving me down town and helping me finish an interior design project. working on the gamma directory. offering to lend your car for use to travel to provo. always asking how i'm doing. you support me in ways i don't even want to support myself! :)

18. your nicknames. you have millions of nicknames for me, and for everyone else around you. if you know their name or not- they've got a nickname. i love when you create nicknames, it makes everyone feel like your best friend.


19. your quirks. eating lime-salt may or may not have been the most normal thing to do. but the memory of you hiding in your desk in 6th grade is forever etched in my brain. wearing complete spandex outfits can only be pulled off by you- and all the other mountain bikers out there. you make life interesting, for yourself, and for the rest of us- and i LOVE it.

20. your maturity. if you've been through it or not- you always seem to have the adult view on things. (although your adult now, you haven't always been, but your advice has been worthy of it) whenever i need advice, i know i can go to you because you always have something good to say. you're not scared to tell how it is- and that is an important thing to have in a friend.

21. YOU! i can't even mention you without mentioning your husband, it seems like. you amaze me everyday- and along with that, i am amazed at the way you picked an equally amazing spouse. you two are so strong together and you i don't doubt that everywhere you go you will touch so many people around you. you have a sort of power together, and it makes me want to be better everyday.


Happy 21st Birthday my dear friend. I am sorry this is 2 hours and 18 minutes late. Don't think I forgot your birthday is the 26th! (I won't go into detail on my crazy hectic day!) I hope you have (had) the most wonderful birthday you could ask for. You deserve the absolute best. Thank you for all your love and support. I am so grateful for your influence, friendship, and example! I love you sister!!