Definitely

If you don't know this lady, let me introduce you.

This is Ashley.



No, not the girl on the left. That's me. The other one.

Today is her birthday.

(By the way, my dear, we need to get a new picture together. This is the most recent I could find.)

Ashley is definitely someone you should know. She is not definately someone you should know. She is not definately anything. Just ask her. Ask her if she wants to write definately again. Contrary to former belief (yes, I admit it, including, nay, especially mine), no one is definately anything.

(Side note: I love this definition of definately: Idiot-speak for "definitely". One of the most common moronic misspellings found on the internet.)

But Ashley is definitively, definitely definately. As in, she is definately:

D ear
E arnest
F riendly
I ntelligent
N ice
A musing
T houghtful
E mpathetic
L ovely
Y oung at heart

She is definately Ashley.

Let me explain.

Dear, because she is a beloved friend.

Earnest, for she is all into whatever she does.

Friendly is certainly what she is. The second word I considered doing for f is forgetful, but since it is her birthday, we won't discuss that right now.

Intelligent, not primarily with obvious wisdom or much knowledge, though she has lots of book knowledge, but with godly wisdom gained over years of seeking to know the Lord.

Nice. Ashley is nice in the nicest sense of the word. She is simply sweet and thoroughly thoughtful.

Amusing. Yes, Ashley is amusing. This goes back in part to that thing we weren't going to discuss, the word for f. Not friendly, forgetful. Oh, yes, I wasn't going to discuss that. Well, don't worry. Ashley knows, and I love her all the more for her amusing qualities. For example, though her hair may be very dark, she's blonde at heart. Ask her, and she will tell you she cannot win; even if she won't usually admit it to me, she knows it is true. If you need some amusement, trick "ticklish Ash-l-ey" into uncovering her toes.

Thoughtful is definitely Ashley as well. She is a good hostess, anticipates the needs of others, and is very grateful.

Empathetic, for Ashley is compassionate and understanding, ready to do whatever she can to help.

Lovely, for she is smiling and cheerful and not easily provoked.

Young at heart, since she is always ready to try new things. And something else begins with a y, so while you're asking her if she wants to write definately again and how I always beat her, ask about her twin. Yes, Ashley's youthful imagination might surprise you.

Indeed, Ashley is definitely definately Ashley.

I couldn't find any purple Ashley vining daisies, Ashley, so here's a Birthday Bachelor Button to brighten your birthday.

I thank the Lord that you were born, and for the time we have been able to be together-I am so grateful that you were able to stay here for school. I don't know what I will do when you leave. Who will take me everywhere and scrapbook with me and Rebekah? Friday Night and church and...well, anything you're at wouldn't be quite the same without you. I treasure our friendship, and ask that the Lord will continue to bless you abundantly this year and wherever He leads you in your life. Happy birthday, friend!