We were photobombed by Francine LaSala J/K! |
My Curly Haired Sister From Another Mother
So, she’s going to think I’m sucking up and I’m totally OK
with that.
I have adored Melissa Amster since the very first time I
laid eyes on her e-mail. In a world where were connected globally like never
before, I like to think that we’ve moved away from thoughts like, “You can’t
meet friends online! They’re all creepers!” That is, unless, you’re totally
into creepers. Who am I to judge?
Melissa and I are kindred spirits who just happen to be opposites
in a select few ways. I made a little chart for those who crave data on how
these differences compare. I’m an engineering professor’s daughter, so I get
it.
Melissa
|
Jen
|
Stays away from
bacon
|
Considers bacon a
food group
|
Night Owl
|
Keeps Amish hours
|
Has a seriously crafty
hubby
|
Has a “James” on
speed dial
|
Reads two books
each week
|
Reads two cereal
boxes each week
|
City Girl
|
Country Mouse
|
Mastered the D.C.
Metro
|
Survived being the girl
on the train in D.C.
|
If I were to draft another list on how much we are alike, we
would be here all day. From chocolate
and 80s music, to being former Chicagoland dwellers and moms to daughters that
have more drama in their little fingers than we can comprehend, we click together
just like that.
Going au naturel |
As I reflect on Melissa and the woman she is, there are many
things I want to share with you as she listens in on our chat. Melissa--Melly
to me--is one of the most generous, kindhearted, loving people I’ve had the
pleasure to call my friend. An amazing wife and mother, she is passionate and
fearless with the softest of hearts. Yet she’s one tough cookie and I always
want her on my side in dark alleys. I love her children like my own. I’ve even
been known to lick a dinner plate clean so her daughter wouldn’t be going at it alone.
She would never tell you all this, so I’m going to brag
about her a little bit. She’s a talented writer who has some amazing stories to
tell. I’ve had the honor of peeking at her work and it’s wonderful. Not only is
she amazing at her day job, she is über amazing right here at CLC. Along
with the entire fantastic team, she tirelessly provides authors, bloggers and
readers with a place to gather, in a positive atmosphere, to talk about the
genre we all love. She’s in constant contact with our community and I know how
deeply she cares about you all and the little family we’ve made across the
corners of the globe.
Melly, I’m eternally grateful for you. When we Skype and
visit each other, it feels like zero hours have passed by since the last time
we hugged. You have cheered me on at my highest highs, and held me up during
some low points when I needed your ear desperately. I don’t want to think what
my world would be like without you in it. You sweetly deemed me “Chick Lit
Cheerleader,” yet that’s exactly what
you are! I’m just the JV squad alternate. May you always know how loved you are
in this world, in my world, and in our little chick lit corner of the world.
All my love,
Jen Jen
Jen Tucker is the author of the funny and true stories, The Day I Wore My Panties Inside Out and The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt. In September 2012, she had her children's book, Little Pumpkin published as an e-book. She also blogs monthly for Survival for Blondes. She currently lives in Indiana with her husband, three kids and two dogs. You can find her at Twitter, Facebook, her blog and on her website. And in case you missed them. check out her previous Chick Lit Cheerleader posts here.
4 comments:
This is so sweet :)
Awww- what a wonderful write-up about a wonderful person that is called Melissa. :)
I loved reading this! What a special friendship! I agree about Melissa, too. She is an especially kind, sincere person, and I love chatting with her!
Beautiful tribute to friendship and to curly haired girls! Thanks to both of you for all you do to share your love of good books!
A fellow curly haired girl,
Cher B
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