the best

A week or so before my birthday, I was sitting at my bff's kitchen counter, eating chips and salsa and just venting {per usual}. There may have been tears involved as I rambled on about breaking up with B, work stress, my stress over my alleged panic attack or whatever that was, my car being totaled, etc etc. As he always does, he listened patiently. Then he stopped me.

"I have a birthday present for you, and I wanted to give it to you on your birthday, but I think tonight is better. Is that okay?"

And then he handed me this.

This is a framed photo of my beloved Papa {who passed away in July} and myself on his birthday in 1999. I am still not sure how, but somehow, my bff had this photo in his possession and recently found it again. He decided to give it to me on my birthday. I had completely forgotten about this photo and had no clue that he had it.

I've mentioned before that my family does not take pictures. I mean, really, we do not take pictures. I have a few photos of myself as a kid with my Papa, and literally 2 of me as a teen/adult with him, including this one. This is so precious to me.

Of course I cried my eyes out. I really miss him.

I am so thankful for my bff. He knows me better then I know myself sometimes. This was just what I needed.