Happy Birthday Jill

Dear Jill,

God, I've had such a hard time writing this. I've re-written it 4 times - well, the first two was because Word kept crashing on me. So I'm typing this straight on blogger - which is not my favorite thing to do. There's also a reason I write romantic comedies ...

How to express what you've meant to me without sounding melodramatic? I'm not exaggerating when I say that you have had a huge impact on my life. It began as a simple email: "Dear Ms. Shalvis" They were the hardest words I'd ever written. I was contacting an author, someone whose books I admired, and it was one of the most nerve-wracking things I'd done. I recently re-read that email (yes, I keep everything - not just yours, so put down that protection order) and thought - wow, this is the most rambling, incoherent piece of ... But you responded, and you were so nice. Then you said something that changed my life forever: "you need to come to my journal/blog on my website." Blog? Wasn’t that one of those chat room type things? I mean, I’d vaguely heard of them but had no idea what it was. So I went. What? Type stuff so that people can see every mistake that I make? You have got to be kidding. So here I am – um, 6 blogs later. You got me into blogging and because of that I have so many wonderful friends - that would never have happened had you not invited me to yours. Small thing, right? No. One day on the blog someone asked if I was a writer. I said no, but I'd like to be one someday. It wasn't long before the following email arrived: "You are so a writer! Just because you're not published doesn't mean you're NOT a writer!!" (I kept that one for obvious reasons. *gg*) I was a writer. My world hasn't been the same since.

You are one of the most gifted, compassionate people God ever created. You bring laughter, romance and excitement into so many people's lives. And you call me your friend. Wow. That overwhelms me. To those that know me, it won't come as a surprise when I say that I have a pretty low self-esteem, so it's hard for me sometimes to imagine that I really matter to most people. You make help me understand that I'm important to you - your email check-ins when I don't come around, your interest in what I'm doing, the cyber-hugs when things get tough. You laugh with me, put up with me when I get manic, encourage me to pursue my dream. Other than Bebo, you have had more influence on my writing than anyone ever has. I have no way to adequately thank you for all that you have done. I hope you know how important you are to me. Have a wonderful birthday Jill, you deserve every happiness life throws your way.