My Best Friend's Wedding

Allow me to introduce you to this girl, Brenna Richardson. She's one of my very best friends.

We met at youth conference in the summer of 2006 (I think) and both worked on a youth council during our Senior year. I guess you could call us acquaintances; despite the fact that she thought I was obnoxious and talked too much, and I thought she was a snob. Which interestingly enough were fairly good assessments.

Thank goodness for BYU-Idaho with its bitter winters which gave us the perfect opportunity to bond over hot chocolate, Craigo's pizza, and a mutual hatred for the negative degree weather and those horrible bells that would ruin afternoon naps at the dorms. We've been nearly inseparable ever since.

Over the years our friendship has gotten a little ridiculous, I'm not gonna lie. We've rocked matching sunglasses and tie-dye. We've road-tripped from Florida, to Idaho, to California, and to Colorado. We lived together and once, while brushing our teeth in the morning, decided to take an impromptu trip to Vegas instead of going to class. We sing car karaoke and talk about our imaginary futures. I used to be her personal hair dyer. And somewhere in there we may have set a kitchen on fire.

I love Brenna, she is like family to me. She's my bosom friend, "an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul." (Shameless Anne of Green Gables reference) And I love her dearly.

When I was in South Africa she would stay up really late some nights to chat with me in the mornings my time. In the midst of our conversations about Lady Gaga, Africa, and BYU-I culture she'd squeeze in bits like "I think I like Ryan, I told him that..." which eventually led to

"Yeah, I might have to make it official eventually, dang it."

Then later "boy decided to drop the L word. Yep. I took it fine. But I'm only kind of scared and I think it's the good kind..."

and eventually she caved and said it back. Gross.

It was funny hearing all the stories in stages from my far away place, though I missed watching her fall in love.

Her wedding was a dream complete with a back yard reception and twinkle lights. Her new husband, Ryan, is so perfect for her. I could not have given my little Brenna to anyone better, even if his last name does mean "dead stuff."

It is amazing to me how much she's grown and become since Ryan has entered her life. More loving, more patient, more determined, and more happy than I have ever seen her before. We can still stay up late talking about our imaginary futures and random silliness, but a change in her is evident. I have always been inspired by the strength and confidence she possesses, and that sentiment has become more true as I watch her take on the new challenges and joys of marriage.

I am always excited to watch where life takes my friends and know that Ryan and Brenna are destined for greatness.