"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" - Walter Winchell

My birthday is coming up next week and it's given me the opportunity to ponder on friendship. Friendship is something that's become more and more important to me over the years. When I was in junior primary school I had some good friends and as a rule most kids at that age are pretty nice to each other. Of course it's not always the case and I think todays society might be different but back then it was pretty much the way it was. I had my best friend SP and other friends who I would hang out with and it was good.

Friends from High School who are still friends today

Primary School was somewhat of a nightmare for me, although I had friends, I also had a very hard time with kids who were very mean and hurtful. However once I hit high school things started to get better. I found friends to hang out with who I still keep in contact with today. In year 10 I met my best friend, who is still my best friend today. Z was the first friend I ever had that I felt like I could truly be myself around. She accepted everything about me. She didn't care what music I liked (although she didn't like much of it), what movies I watched (although she mocked them mercilessly) or how crazy I was (cause she was crazy too). Although we are like chalk and cheese she was and still is the best friend I've ever had.

Me and my bestie Z

Now that I've left school and have learnt more I have learnt the value of true friendship. Although I don't really talk to some of the people I went to school with and some of my old friends, I know who my real friends are now. I consider myself very lucky to have many wonderful true friends.
Friends like Rose (Not her real name) who I have know since year 9, that's almost 11 years. She has always been a friend but over the last couple of years we've become much closer and I consider her one of my best friends in the world. She's one of the very tiny amount of people (like 3) that I feel like I can truly say anything at all to about how I'm feeling and it won't matter one bit.
Or like Louise (Again not her real name) who I've known for many years from church. She is also one of my very best friends. We have spent many long nights talking and were lucky enough to even have a baby at almost the same time (only 4 weeks apart). She's been away more recently while her hubby works country for the police force but she's moving back to Adelaide and I'm sooo excited. It will be great to be able to catch up again and spend many more fun times together.
There are so many other great people but I fear that listing them all would cause a mass confusion of fake names!! (I don't give names cause some people wouldn't like that.) They're people that I don't know who I'd be without.

Me and "Louise"

These are the people who I feel incredibly lucky to have in my life. People I've known for years and people who I've only really gotten to know since I married Daniel but who are now some of the greatest people I know. If you have friends like these you are very lucky. They are the people who accept you no matter what. The ones who don't care what you look like. The ones who know that your only human and so make mistakes. The ones who are there for you no matter what happens. Who make you feel better about yourself and build you up. Who never put you down or make fun of you. They accept your likes and dislikes. They respect you and your beliefs even if they don't believe the same thing.

Make sure you appreciate your true friends every day.

"Any fool can be a Father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy!" - Philip Whitmore Snr

With Father's Day coming up this Sunday and getting ready for it, it's got me thinking about the Fathers I know in my life. I know many fathers, mine, my father-in-law, my grandpa, poppa, uncle's and of course my husband. All of the fathers I know are good, kind and loving men who treat their wives with respect and love and teach their children well.

The quote that I started my blog with is one that I've heard often over the years and I believe to be true. All of the fathers I've mentioned before are definately all Daddy's too. Every time my dad calls me on the phone I always answer 'Hey Daddy' and I'm never afraid to tell him that I love him. Although my dad hasn't always been here (he's lived interstate) I've never doubted for one second that my dad loves me and would do anything for me. He always helps when I need it and always listens when I talk to him. He's recently become a father again and he is the same way with his new little girl.

Me and my daddy in Sydney

My father-in-law is also a really wonderful dad. I obviously didn't grow up with him but I know he raised a good son!! Over the last 5 years or so I've really got to know him and know him to be a wonderful man. He's so supportive of our little family and always helps us whenever we need it, always going above and beyond what we need. He's also a great grandpa. He adores our little girl, I see it everytime he holds her!

Another father I know is my Uncle J. My Aunty K married my Uncle J when I was about 5 and so he's been in my life for pretty much as long as I can remember! He's a really wonderful man who has always been there for me and my brother and sisters and mum whenever we've needed him, no matter what time of the day or night. He's also a wonderful father to his own daughters who have grown into wonderful young women.

My Uncle J and his 2 daughters

Of course the father that I see most these day's is my wonderful Hubby. He's only recently become a father (10 months ago) and while I know that he was a little worried about becoming a father, he has taken it on and does an aboslutely wonderful job. The look of love and happiness he has when he see's his little girl is absolutely fantastic, there is nothing better. He works so hard to support us and make sure our little girl has the best life that we can give her and more love than she'll ever need.

My hubby and our little girl

The last father is my Heavenly Father. He sent me to earth, gave me life and loves me more than I could possibly ever comprehend. He sent his son to die for me so that I could return to live with him. What greater example of love could there be than that.

There are many other wonderful fathers in my life, my other Uncles, my brother-in-law and friends but I just wanted to pay tribute to some of them. I know there are many men out there who have fathered children but aren't good dad's, but I feel truly blessed to know so many fantastic fathers. Always remember that even if your father isn't perfect, they still raised you and they still love you even if they have trouble showing it.

Have you thanked yours today?