Meet Suna Marquardt, my dear childhood friend from Eureka, California. This is us in the 6th grade. I even developed this picture in our elementary school dark room.

Several years ago, we found each other again on Facebook. I was elated, to say the least. This is my friend who I had sleepovers with, played on the basketball team with, talked about boys like Nick Cox and Tyson Beauchamp with.
Last week, I met up with her in Anaheim, California (where she now lives) while we were on a family vacation at Disneyland.
Tah-dah! Here we are now:

Isn't Suna beautiful?
It's an amazing feeling to be in the presence of someone you haven't seen since you were 13 and feel like you've never even skipped a beat. Suna is as bright, authentic and as lovely as she ever was. Since I last saw her, she has accomplished so much including graduating from the Long Beach Police Academy, marrying another police officer (Jason García) whom she met at the academy, and having three boys – something we share in common. When Suna had her boys, she admirably bowed out of her career in law enforcement and started a business she runs from home called "Quality Connections Living Services." She helps people with developmental disabilities to maintain their basic life skills such as grocery shopping, financial responsibilities, medication management, etc. In other words: She is Wonder Woman.
Suna, I love you. It was so amazing to see you again. Let's make sure that we don't wait 18 years to do it again.