My Dear Friend...

I can't believe that we have known each other for 6 years now. The time has flown by! And so much has happened!! I wish that I could have been blessed to have known you for all 30 of your years, but there are only a few in that fortunate group. You are truly one of the most special people and one of my most special friends. I hope that you have an amazing celebration and feel extremely loved this May 22...because you are. You make it easy for all of us to love, admire, and cherish our friendship with you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being amazing. Thank you for all of the memories. Here's to many more to come!
With love and prayers ALWAYS-
Sharis

happy bday pb

happy birthday pb!



the big 3-0. ah, it seemed like it was only yesterday when you bonded with julie over fresh ex and i thought, man, these two are very chirpy and i'm not sure if i can be their roommate.

so glad we got put together randomly by the housing folks at owu. you've turned out to be one of my best friends and although the distance can be difficult, we've always managed to pick up where we left off when we see each other. this is the stuff the good are made of. does that even make sense? you know what i mean.

i wish i could be there to celebrate with you. it was definitley nice to catch you a couple of weeks ago. hope we can meet up later this summer.

to everyone reading this, she's not a real blonde!

Princess Melissa of the Napa Valley

Dear Missy,
I see you cruising along in your Saab along Silverado trail this beautiful May morning.
Enjoying the wonder and awe of the Napa Valley vineyards. Look up in the air! The hot air balloons are floating across the sky. Today they carry special messages for YOU!

Your parents love you very much!

You are wonderful daughter !

You are rich because you have your health!

As you celebrate your birthday with family and friends know that I am with you in spirit until I arrive this summer! You are the best! Love Dad

Mackey,

Hard to believe I've known you since the 3rd grade and yes, I will never forget that you always had a 50 pack of gum in Mrs. Dristas' class and never shared - not even once! Ha! It was great having you in New York even if it was short lived! I really miss you and hope to see you soon.
Have a great birthday and I will buy you a drink next time around!

Holly

Dearest Melissa

She's chic!
She's sleek!
She's unique!
....... and she's 30!
Wish we were there to celebrate with our beautiful daughter on her special day!
Love Mom

Happy Birthday!!!

"Peace I leave with you my friend, my friend..."

Have a wonderful day!
- Sharis

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Congratulations on your birthday! 1977 was the best, despite what Maria tries to say. I wish you much happiness, health and peace in the years to come. Let's celebrate!

Dear Melissa,

It is hard to believe that we are reaching that glorious milestone of 3-0. The past few years have flown, and I can always remember my mom saying "don't wish you were sooo much older, the years will catch up with you and you'll wish you were younger". Well, to that I say we only get better with age, and truly the best is yet to come. From the first day we met in front of the flughafen bus stop to roadtrips in the Saab, from seeing eachother frequently to letting some months pass without being in touch, I have found in you a friend for life, kindred spirits that will learn and grow from one another, from near or far. You have always been there for me, and I am so blessed to have you as a friend. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and may the future bring you lots of happiness and joy.

Mel, Dir wuensche ich alles Gute zum Geburtstag und viel Glueck, Liebe, Erfolg, und Gesund in das neue Lebensjahr!!

love

Candace

Based on the date on the photo, this picture was taken near the beginning of our sophomore year at OWU. (I had some older ones but they were far less flattering--to me, not you of course; I love your outfit in this one!)

It's hard to believe its been almost 12 years since we arrived at OWU. We've had some great times: freshman year in Welch Hall, toga parties, fraternity/sorority formals, road trips, weekends in San Francisco, New York, and DC, all the way up to your presence at my wedding...the list goes on and on. You've been a great friend and I continue to enjoy our conversations on the phone--they are always immensely entertaining and enjoyable, though too infrequent.

As we become adults (which starts at 30, right?), I hope our opportunities to create memories in the future continue, wherever we may be. Happy birthday, Missy. Have a great celebration with your family and friends.

May 22, 1977 - The phone rings - Mom says "Congratulations Aunt Pam - it's a girl" The next day I acutually got to hold "The Pricess Melissa" at Magees hospital From the first time I saw you, I knew this was no ordinary niece. Then the icing on the cake - your Mom asked me to be your Godmother. I still remember holding you at the church for your baptism and praying that this small helpless baby would grow into a strong woman - beautiful in body and soul (God does answer prayers!)

Over the years, we have shared some special moments - Christmas mornings on Elm Street (no presents until we sing to Baby Jesus!) - Easter egg hunts in the backyard (Who would get the golden egg this year?) - talent shows in the basement (I'm using the term "talent" loosely!) - Mother/Daughter camping trips - your school shows - 4th of July parties - New York - even Las Vegas.

Every major event - we've been there for each other. Your first communion (you looked like an angel) - high school graduation - Ohio Wesleyan graduation - (sorry I made you cry) - our backyard wedding - standing up for me at our church wedding - being my support when Mom went to heaven. You truly are the daughter I never had!!

Happy 30th birthday, sweetie. I hope every wish that you have comes true when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake.

All our love,
Aunt Pam and Uncle Jim

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Melissa,
Happy birthday to you!