Happy Birthday to my Best Roommate Ever. Also interesting to note, three years ago on this very day we became friends. It was friendship at first sight!  I actually have pictures of that day, but it’s your birthday, so we won’t go there!

I told Kevin the other day that I’m part-pyschic because I can almost immediately tell who I’m going to be friends with (minus a few extreme cases). I saw a girl on the escalator in the mall, and I told him I could totally be friends with her. He thought it was hilarious. But it’s true. How else can you explain it? It was meant to be. I showed up at the pool party.  A social event for teachers. You know I avoid social events like the plague. And I struck up a conversation with you. I know that you remember the exact quote, but I said something to the effect of,”I guess I’ll be nice to you. I wasn’t very nice to the last student teacher.”

The next thing you know, we adopted a son together! God put you in my life at just the right time when I needed some encouragement. And someone to help me wholeheartedly embrace my Dominican sense of style! It was basically like having a sister my age! If only your feet were a tiny bit bigger, we would’ve shared all clothes perfectly!

We always felt safe when we were together. Maybe a little too safe. If we live to be 100, we’ll never forget the infamous campo trip. Or all of our times training with Willy (who turned me into a hulk)! And I still have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the huge rats that would invade our apartment. Any sudden movement out of the corner of my eye still frightens me. Including a dish soap bubble in my kitchen the other day.

Together we learned that no dress is too fancy for an evening out with the girl as Friday’s, and that if you are loyal to your Dominican salon they will do almost anything for you. Including walking you home with an umbrella when it’s raining so your hair doesn’t get ruined and sending various burn and blister creams to your house. You always inspred me to be more positive and loving. Because that’s how you are. Except when you’re starving. Just kidding. It was nice having a roommate who empathized with my hunger anger. Can you teach Kevin that?

I’d love to be there tonight for our ultimate date night at the “new plaza” stuffing our faces with Papa John’s and YogenFruz. I hope your day is special and sweet. I am so thankful to have a friend like you! Best wishes. Felicidades!

P.S. Kevin says happy b-day too! Remember the first time I told you about Kevin. I can’t believe I wrote you a note in church!