Dear Sam

Did you know...

"The Two men who appeared in the wildly popular Marlboro Man advertisements died of lung cancer, earning Marlboro cigarettes the nickname “Cowboy Killer.”

I just wanted to take a quick second and tell you what thought really hit me today. I have two friends at my church who I've known for a while now and they are very good friends. Jessica Roberts and Mimi Hansen. Last year Jessica was dating a boy named Karl Johnson. Things didn't go very well and they broke up. Recently, a thing has grown between Mimi and Karl and they really like eachother. But Jessica is convinced that it's a bad idea for Mimi to date Karl and has taken it upon herself to convince Mimi too. For a week now, every time I see them it's hard feelings, words and tears.

This made me think of our Friendship Contract and the clause that talks about boys and other friends and how it's none of our business to get involved and that the contract friend is alwasy number one. I realized that, if we follow the contract, that we will never have to deal with ugly problems like the one above! And that is so nice to know and I just wanted to clarify that fact. If you are interested in a boy that I think is bad news or vice versa, then we just wait with a box of tissues. Unless an opinion is asked (which it will probably be) then it's the other persons decision and we have to respect that and just let them learn the lesson OR enjoy a good relationship. Because people can change or behave differently around different people.

So I hope that we never have to deal with stupid boy fights. They really are so petty... Well, that's all I wanted to tell you. Hope your day in Seattle yesterday was fabulous! :) Post your pictures soon! :)

Love,

Jess

In the Beginning: The Contract

Contract of Friendship

On the 19th day of the 1st month of the year 2008, Samantha L. and Jessica M., swear, in the oath of friendship, to stay friends for all of eternitt. In this, we agree to these terms:

1. To always stick together through thick and thin, no matter what comes.
2. We must always forgive each other, in the act of friendship, and never let a wrong doing get between us.
3. We must always be truthful, understanding, and never judgemental.
4. We must never put our relationships before our friendship. They will either be equal or friendship first.
5. Never, out of anger or pure gossip, will we spread rumors about each other.
6. No put downs, even if said in a 'just kidding' way.
7. We may have other friends, but that is our business; we are not allowed to meddle the other person's frienships.
8. We will always be there to give a helping hand and listening ear to each other, giving constructive criticisim on whether we think it is right or wrong, or how to improve; the contract friend will always come first.
9. We will always be ourselves. Never shall we follow along with the others idea if we don't believe in it.
10. No matter how far apart we are, no matter what grade we may be in, we will always be friends and never leave one another behind in our hearts.
    

20 Years From Now

On the 19th day of the 1st month of the year 2008 Samantha L. and Jessica M., swear once again to the following terms of agreement of friendship. Though we may leaveour houses over the years, we must agree to the rules below:

1. No matter how far away from each other we may be, we must always find some way to communicate with each other
2. We must always keep up with each other and never lose contact.
3. We must hold bi-annual reunions with each other and constantly send pictures of our life.
4. Never shall we leave the other in a difficult situation and we must do whatever is in our power to help them out.
5. We must attend to the other on their death bed, at their funeral, when their child is born, or about to be born, and at their wedding, whether you are their bridesmaid or not.
6. Whenever there is a change in address, phone number, or email address the other must be informed of it.
7. We shall provide a place of living if the other has no place to go.
8. If the other has gone into a bad situation, do all in your power to help as long as it will not hurt you and other loved ones.
9. All of the rules in the first clause apply.

Our signatures below are proof that we have committed ourselves to this contract. This contract shall be law forever more.