The Ole Miss Group Spreads Their Wings!

Danny has a small group of friends from Ole Miss here in DC.  Mainly made up of ladies, these friends have been together since freshman year in Oxford and stayed tight ever since.  They remind me very much of our group of freshman dorm friends- the "Barrett Bias and Boys", who are still my best of friends in the world.

The stories are similar- mostly in the same program freshman year, took similar classes, went through ebbs and flows of hanging out together and always came back to the basis of their friendship- shaping and starting out their lives as independent adults.  It was the first time we were not living at home and had to rely on ourselves for food, money, school, etc.  We helped each other through this transition in life and had a lot of fun (maybe too much fun) doing it. 

The Ole Miss group had to go through a little more than we did.  They lost one of their own, Rose, in college to cancer.  I never had the opportunity to meet Rose, but I feel like I personally know her from the stories they tell.  Every year this group of friends get together and celebrate her birthday.  Some have tattoos in memory of her.  Every time we are together, they toast to Rose.  It is amazing how someone they knew for only a few years still makes such an impact on their lives.  It teaches me that friendships should not be taken for granted.  Like both of our groups of friends, we may or may not call every week or see each other on a regular basis- but we are there for each other when it matters.

Rose may have passed away, but her presence is still very much here in DC with this group of friends.  She is clearly with each person and watches over them from wherever you go after you leave this earth.  Never underestimate how much you mean to your friends or how much your friends mean to you.

In the past few months, the Ole Miss group started to leave the oh-so transient city of Washington, DC.  Holly is moving to China for work for two years for an incredible opportunity.  Rachel moved to New Jersey with her cute Greek boyfriend and works in NYC.  Emily is travelling all over the world for her job and may as well be leaving DC.  Danny may not be leaving but he is definitely in transition- we are getting married in May, he began a new career at Boeing this year and is starting business school next week.  Even though the band is breaking up, they will never stop being friends.  Rose will continue to watch over them and they will have their memories of her and each other for the rest of their lives as some of the best. 

So farewell, Rachel and Holly.  We wish you nothing but the best and you always have a place to stay in DC (well for the next 3-4 years at least).  Hotty Toddy from your Buckeye fan.

xoxo
Jza Jza