Let me introduce my best friend...

This is Lize.

I've known Lize since we were five years old. Her family moved to Pennsylvania from South Africa and began attending the church where my father was the pastor. We formed a quick bond and have been best friends for the last 20 years!

Anyone who knows me knows that I talk a lot about the “coolest person I know.” Lize IS actually the coolest person I’ve ever met. She loves Jesus. She’s African-American (in a literal sense, not a skin color sense). She speaks Afrikaans (which I still don’t understand, but I should probably learn). She teaches middle school math in one of the toughest areas to be a teacher. She dances her way through life. She's rocking the single life (What?! Yes, you heard right. She is the most eligible bachelorette out there! And I'm taking applications but, good luck, you're probably not cool enough to deserve her.). She’s fearless when it comes to caring for another person. She sees the best in everyone she comes across. She makes delicious baked goods and, well, everything food-related. She can always talk sense into any tough situation. She tells the funniest jokes. She has a great relationship with her parents and brothers (who are also the coolest). She draws rad typography. She has the best closet of clothes I’ve ever borrowed from. She makes everything around her shine a little brighter.

Sure, we might be at totally different stages of life. Blonde-ish, Brunette. Married, single. Baby, no baby. Pittsburgh area, Philadelphia area. But Lize and I have been through thick and thin together and, regardless of what tries to stand between us, we’ve continued to grow closer and live life alongside each other. And we will continue to be best friends for the rest of our lives because we’ve already proven that oceans, miles, relationships, babies, jobs, what-have-yous are no match for our Jesus-loving, coffee-drinking, memory-making best friendship.