ode to ash.

Anyone sick of odes? Cause I'm not. They help remind me why I love all the great people in my life. This ode is to my dear friend Ashley who is celebrating her birthday today. Ash and I met in Logan when we lived in the same apartment building. We didn't really get to know each other until about halfway through the year, but that's all that was necessary for me to know that everyone should have a 'lil bit of Ash in their life. She is one of the most accepting and genuine people I know. It wasn't hard to come up with a few things that I love about her...

• She has enough hoodies to clothe a small army. You think I'm joking...this girl LOVES her hoodies.
• Her Harry Potter accent is dead on.
• You could fit a small child in her purse. This is how I know she and Hilda will get along.
• She's pretty much BFF with Joshua Radin.
• After years of friendship, I still cannot manage to spell her last name correctly.
• The dancing. Every single time her phone rings.
• She thinks that I talk weird and can't resist teasing me about it. Which I secretly think is funny.
• She's gives excellent advice.
• When she forgets someone's name, she just calls them "whore" instead.
• She talks like a pirate on days besides September 19th.
• She has this really fantastic corner shelf that I'm convinced she will give to me someday.
• When she has absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, she's not afraid to tell me. And make me start over. I appreciate your honesty, Ash. I realize I can be quite vague sometimes.
• Even though she's from Idaho, she's not a farmer. In fact, I'm not sure she even likes potatoes.
• She can spot a stinky boy from a mile away.
• A couple of summers ago she worked at Red Robin. And I love anything associated with Red Robin. (Unlimited steak fries - who's with me?)
• She wears so many layers I'm not quite sure how she moves. Think ... Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Okay maybe not to that extent, but close.
• She shares my love of Wentworth and his prison breaking antics.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a sampling of the many reasons I'm so glad to have Ashley in my life. But the main reason is because she has the incredible ability to make everyone feel as if they are worth something. Which I think is more important than everything else on this list. Like I said - everyone could use a 'lil bit of Ashley in their lives. If you don't, talk to me. I can point you in her direction.