Day 20: Barbara Baker! Where is she???

Barbara Baker has been on my mind a lot lately. Perhaps it is because my tree, "Barb" (Barbara's namesake) has recently birthed 5 new branches. I refer to them as her babies and Drew denies that he even knows me. Who is surprised by either one of those facts? Anyhoo....

Barbara Baker. Lovely. Talented. Beautiful.

Barb and I go way back. By way back I of course mean back to our freshman year and freshman dorm at PBA. Ahh the good ol' Baxter days. One of my very first memories with her was when she invited me to watch the notebook with her and some other girls because I had never seen it. I bawled like a baby and understood why she insisted so fervently that I see the movie! Good flick! Regardless, I think this was the first night Barb and I became friends.

Barbara and I have so many fun memories together! We were in acting class together, Freshman Showcase, ALICE, we were neighbors (and she was often our "extra" roommate), we went to church together often, and had lots of fun parties!

One of my favorite memories of Barbara was when I lived in Baxter 206 with Megan and Shick (different semester for each girl). My roomie and I would open the locked door to our room and to our surprise find Barb watching a movie and eating popcorn in our room. It has never ceased to amaze me how Barb got into our room. I often asked if she had a key or something? No key. Just skills. Maybe a little witchcraftery or something....I don't really know! :)

Barb also liked to take naps in my bed when I was not around. I would often come home and find her curled up in my bed like a kitty cat. Because of this I started referring to Barb as my kitty cat. (She does a great cat impression by the way).

Speaking of impressions! Everybody remember the bull dog from Lady and the Tramp? This guy:

Barb does the most amazing impression of him I have ever seen and could ever imagine. No joke. She gets completely into it! She throws her arms into and scrunches up her face. It is GLORIOUS. I could close my eyes and swear to you it was a clip of him from the movie. You wanna talk about talent? This girl has it.

Barbara is a sweet friend who really cares about others. She is wonderfully artistic and talented. She is a blast to hang out with and always keeps me laughing. She is an old soul I think. She has a nature about her that makes me think back a few decades to a simpler time. I think that is really cool. I am incredibly interested about where Barb is going in the future! I am very excited about where her talents will land her! She will no doubt be very successful.

Barbara-

I miss you so much! I am so excited for your upcoming college graduation! I so wish I was going to be there to celebrate with you! I can't wait to see where you are going and what you will be doing with your life!  God has amazing plans for you and He has obviously blessed you with generous talents and a kind heart. You will be successful wherever you go. It has been such a pleasure to get to know you over the years and watch you grow and blossom into a beautiful, confident woman. I am blessed to be your friend and to know you.

All my love!

MB

This is a picture of Barbara and me in London a few years back....