I love this picture of Jess and Julia and just wanted to post it. Julia, born 12 weeks to the day before Gracie. Jess, one of my dearest and oldest friends and a sure soul sister. We’ve been through many experiences together, good and bad, and I know we’ll be friends for life. Jess, you are one of the people whose opinion I value the most highly in this world. Your wisdom, patience, and uniquely insightful perspective add immeasurable joy and value to my life. We may live far apart, but as Carly says, “we are so close that in our separation there’s no distance at all.” You are one of the three or four people I think of as flanking me as I go through this life – thank you for all of the love and support and understanding. As you put it in a long-ago letter: “Maybe it’s just a current with a similar wave pattern that runs through our souls…” I aspire to be the kind of friend, woman, and mother that you are.