I met Jayme during the second semester of my freshman year when she joined the same sorority Tara and I had joined our first semester of college.  It only took a month or two before Jayme and I figured out we had the same birthday – July 24, 1987. It wasn’t until probably a year later, however, that Jayme reminded me that I am embarrassing and had sent her a message on Facebook six months prior to meeting her in real life about the fact that we had the same birthday. I was a Facebook creep… nothing has changed.

Here’s the evidence of our first 7/24-related encounter… via Facebook

Over the next six years our friendship grew quickly into a best friendship and has only grown stronger and sillier since. Jayme, Tara and I became inseparable – even living together our sophmore, junior and senior years of college.  The stories we could tell about the road trips, the frat parties and the Thursday night never-ending sober dance parties would make you wish you had been a part of our trio. Jayme has been there for it all and if I’m being honest – I might not have made it through college without her (and Tara, duh).

Now that we’re getting old and live 968 miles from each other (yes, I just Google-mapped it) the opportunities for creating new memories don’t come around as often but we make it a point to stay involved in each other’s lives, visit each other as often as we can and spend as many birthdays together as possible. This year we won’t spend 7/24 together but I’ll see her in three days and I can’t wait for her to wrap her eagle arms around me for a big belated-birthday hug.

Jayme is by far the better half of this birthday twin duo and has always been the nurturing one – the mother – the protector – the mediator – the voice of reason. Jayme has always been a better human being than I am and she always inspires me with her gentle kindness, compassion, confidence and love of life and I am still shocked she chose me as one of her best friends.

So Jaym, my beautiful birthday twink… I know we aren’t excited about today and we’ll both probably cry at some point and I know it’s Tuesday and we’re 25 and we’re getting old and we’re not together to celebrate. And I know you already know this… (you better know this)…  but I just want you and the whole world to know that I am so proud, lucky and thankful to be your best friend and to share this day – the glorious 7/24 – with you (and Jennifer Lopez). I am so excited to spend (at least) the next two quarter centuries crossing items off our bucket lists, traveling the world and just doing life with you. No matter where life takes us we’ll always have 7/24 and we’ll always have each other. I love you, J!

I believe this picture was taken the night we discovered we had the same birthday (in real life) – just so happened our hotel room # was 724

Unfortunately, this heinous picture is the only pic I have of us on our 19th birthday. For the record: Jayme had a tacky birthday crown, too.

Birthday Cookie Cake on our 21st Birthday in NYC – thanks Tara!

Gluten-free birthday cake for the big 2-3 in Austin, Texas courtesy of Linley!

The night of our 24th birthday in NYC – only people left in the bar having a late night dance party. Duh. (This picture was taken with self-timer. We’re THAT cool.)