From the beginning until the end

It’s Natalie’s 25^th Birthday today, so I decided to take a trip down memory lane.

Natalie at the London Aquarium on my 23rd birthday 

Natalie and I have known each other for years, yet I can’t actually pinpoint how we become friends. We met at the age of 14/15 at a summer theatre club, we attended the same sixth form college and even went to the same university. However it was in our final year of university that Natalie became more than just a long-time friend, she became a sister.

OK, quick story!

So Natalie and I started at Brunel University in 2007, I remember us squashing up in my parents’ car with all our luggage and making our way to our halls of residence. Though we were studying for different degrees, Natalie and I both had the same university plan - 3 years in university and a 1 year work placement between our 2nd and 3^rd year of studies. This meant we would both start and finish together.

That was the plan, but this is what really happened; Natalie did the first 2 years as normal and then went on to do her placement year, after her placement she took a gap year to work and then came back for her final year in 2011. Her situation meant that she wouldn’t have graduated with me, however my university plans changed too. Like Natalie I did my first 2 years as normal and then took a gap year to do missionary work, I still wanted to do an internship so after my gap year I did my placement and went back to university for my final year in 2011. Looking back I definitely believe God’s hand brought us together for our final year as situations should have lead us to finish university at different times.

Natalie and I during our first week of university

Final year was definitely a turning point in our friendship, we had somewhat drifted apart during our 1^st and 2^nd year but came back together strong. We supported each other during the most difficult times as we battled through the stresses of dissertations, coursework and exams while dealing with other things in our personal lives.  We spent most of that year in between each other’s halls; If Natalie wasn’t staying at my place I would be staying at hers.  We used to always say “Tonight, we’re definitely going to have an early night, wake up at 6am and get to the library for when it opens at 8am”; we tried so hard to keep to that but it never happened because as soon as we got into bed we would always end up talking most of the night! Our friendship during that year taught me how powerful it is, as a friend, to just be there.  Even now as I write this I am smiling about all the precious moments we have shared together.

Natalie, you have been more than a friend to me, even a sister. Your love and commitment to God really inspires me; I’ll never forget when deadlines were piling up and you were under extreme amounts of pressure yet you never neglected prayer, reading your bible or going to church. I’m thankful for your life - your determination, your loving kindness and your vibrant nature made such a rocky journey smooth. Keep pressing on Natalie, stay true to God as he has such wonderful things prepared for you. You have been a true friend from the beginning and I pray we may continue on this journey together until the end.

 

Happy Birthday Natalie

 

Natalie and I on our mini holiday celebrating the end of university :)

 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28
 

 

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥