This is my favorite picture of Michelle, because she’s fierce and goofy and beautiful.

Michelle is an epic human being.

I met her when Kayla was about 6 months old.  She’s about a year younger than me and we have a ton of interests in common, so we bonded as friends and got rid of the boy who introduced us.

In almost 17 years of friendship, we have watched each other go through good & bad relationships and good & bad jobs, been neighbors, been coworkers, performed on stage together, and encouraged each other throughout.  I  introduced her to her husband, though I didn’t know that’s what I was doing at the time, and I stood with her when she married him, proudly.

Michelle is one of those people who defy brief explanation, though she might disagree.  She is brave, caring and fierce to a fault.  There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for the people in her inner circle – and she is so loyal that she’ll tell you the truth everyone else is afraid to tell you.  She has taught me more than I can ever say about creating boundaries, and she’s often the first person I go to when I don’t know what to do about a sewing problem.

In addition to being a hell of a professional recruiter, she is a marvellous dancer, one of the best moms I have ever seen, a wicked game player, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.  You never want to match wits with her, because she will make you feel tiny, and possibly rob you blind while you’re at it.  Oh, and did I mention that she’s a great cook?  There’s freakin’ nothing she can’t do.

I’m lucky to have known Michelle so long.  Her friendship makes me rich and I love her.  You will too, I know it.