I'm Thankful for Denise...

As we enter the holiday season and focus on what's truly important in life, I must give thanks for the best friend a girl could ever ask for: my best friend Denise.  If ever asked to describe Denise to someone who's never met her, a quick summary would note that she is extremely loyal - the friend who is always there for you, whether you're drunk dialing her at 3am, or, going through a true life crisis and really need her there by your side.  Beyond her overwhelming kindness and selflessness, I must note that Denise is a Bon Jovi lover, champion chicken pot pie baker, keeper of a sparkling clean home featuring an overabundance of plug-ins and candles, and an amazing mother and wife.  Denise's family is lucky to have her...and so am I.

Denise with her Family: Husband Tom, Daughter Hailey, and Son Dylan

Denise is known to steal tambourines from local bands.  This is actually a relatively frequent occurrence - take Denise to Bailey's to see a cutie boy band perform, and, Denise is guaranteed to weasel her way onto the stage to snatch an instrument and perform for the crowd like the rock star she is.  Take her 40th birthday, for instance...

Denise Jamming with a Tambourine at her 40th Birthday Party.

Denise is a provider of life's necessities.  Every winter when we are forced to succumb to weekly snowstorms, Denise and her kids sleep over my house so we can weather the storm together.  Denise is our go-to girl, the one we know will remember to bring the essentials to get us through should we lose power, heat...or just remain trapped indoors with our kids for unknown periods of time.  Here is an example of Denise's preparedness during our last winter Nor'easter. 

See?  Denise is a planner.

Denise is a discreet shopper...but I can't keep a secret.  Last summer, Denise and I were enjoying cocktails on her porch, which is one of our usual haunts.  Denise told me she was taking control of her health and made a significant purchase towards getting healthy and strong.  I was so proud of her...especially when she brought this life-changing purchase out for me to inspect and try for myself to prove just how effective it was.  I can't continue typing about this without bursting into hysterics, but, here is a photo of Denise's purchase...she refused to be photographed with it, but, I didn't!

Denise's Secret Shake Weight

On a serious note, Denise is truly the best.  When my first marriage crumbled, I quickly learned who my true friends were, and, thank God Denise was one of them.  It was she who came over my house regularly to check on me, and when I was ready, it was also she who introduced me to my husband, George.  When my mother passed away suddenly almost two years ago, my life changed forever.  As I was sitting in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary Medical Center in shock over the tragedy that had just taken place, it was Denise who came to the hospital to sit in my mother's room with me until it was time for me to say goodbye.  For weeks afterward, Denise would come over my house and feed my family, listen to me cry, or just sit on my couch and watch television while I slept in another room.  Somehow, just knowing she was there made me feel a little better.  Four months later, I graduated college, and when I looked up to the section where my family was sitting, there was beautiful Denise, cheering me on in the seat my mother would have occupied.  10 months after my mother's passing, I tackled a huge emotional hurdle...I was getting married, and, my mother would not be at my wedding.  I didn't have my mother to go with me to the bridal shop to ooh and ah over me as I tried on wedding dresses and alternating veils and jewels.  But, I did have Denise, and difficult as it was, she assembled the perfect look for my wedding day.

Denise and Me on my Wedding Day

Simply put, everybody should have a Denise in their life.  There is no better feeling than knowing you have one amazing friend whom you know will always be there for you, love your family the way you do, and, simply understands and loves everything about you...annoying quirks and all.

Happy Thanksgiving Denise!  I love you to pieces!

PS: Don't ever be less than one hour early to a movie you are going to see with Denise.  Seriously...you'll learn.