Farewell, Rachel!

My newly married best friend, Rachel, leaves for Kalimantan with her missionary hubby this Thursday.

It was our final lunch together today. I will miss you so, drama-queen.

Her parting gift to me - Maltesers in an empty jam jar. Very sweet - both the gesture and the chocolate.

For the record....

I met Rachel at a cell group gathering back in 2007. Neither of us attended the church our cg members attended. I was quiet while she was cute and chatty. She played the piano for worship at times, while I stuck to worship leading or guitar. (I played terribly - but I am flattered that Rachel liked my guitar playing, lol.) We didn't talk to one another much at first  - till she read my profile on Facebook (I think she was the one who influenced me to start a FB account) and was intrigued by my love for books written by Elisabeth Elliot.

"I really like her books too!" she exclaimed. "Would you like to borrow some books from my mother's bookshelf?"

That broke the ice. We began exchanging books every few weeks or so.

When I left that cell group to join a care group in my own church, we continued meeting up occasionally for lunches or dinners. I graduated from medical school and began working at my church as a full-time worker. Subsequently, I joined the seminary. Through the different seasons, we stayed in each other's lives - praying, making the effort to meet up, encouraging, supporting and making one another laugh despite our fierce life struggles (and relationship issues). Good times and bad times.

After my miscarriage during pregnancy #1

midnight nibbles for a stressed out seminary student

After I dropped my phone into the toilet bowl at Gurney Plaza. She has given me even crazier gifts which I don't think I should divulge here. 

Later, Rachel fell sick and made me very worried. I am glad that she is in remission now. I hope that she will remain in remission while she is away in Kalimantan.

I got married. Rachel played me down the aisle. I regret that I was too sick to return the favour on her wedding day. She looked gorgeous in her dress. I did cry a little as she walked down the aisle. Beautiful moments indeed.

We became colleagues at the music school she had been teaching at. (Rachel recommended me to her boss. And to some parents of the private students I came to teach.) We love our boss. It was also nice that we got to go out for dinner on Wednesday evenings, after we were both done with classes. (We even went for a concert together once.)

At the beginning of my pregnancy with S - and I only wanted to eat pasta. Yes, PASTA.

Sophie came. I made Rachel her godma. Although she thought herself too crazy for the role, I wouldn't have any other in her place.

Nick asked her to marry him. She did - and will be leaving with him for their mission field this Thursday.

It has been about 8 beautiful years of knowing you, Rachel. I have always been very blessed by our friendship - and by all of you. Thank you for loving me for who I am and inspiring me with your being and doing.

I love you back.