I have known Dea since my sophomore year at the University of Michigan. At first, she was "just" Tom's girlfriend and my friend Leslie's Resident Advisor. Very quickly, though, Leslie's RA and Tom's girlfriend became "my good friend Dea." Today, I count her as one of my closest, oldest (not because she's turning 30!), and dearest friends.
And, here's the thing about Dea. She sparkles. All the time. She has this smile that works its way into your heart and makes you feel happy no matter what is going on. I love Dea's positive attitude, the compassion she shows toward people and what they're going through and her infectious laughter! Her laugh is like none other.
I feel honored to call her a friend and look forward to all the years ahead in which we'll likely share a townhouse in Harlem (with Annie and Al), be pregnant and take shifts on the vending machine route. :) Or, maybe our sporty husbands will make it into the NBA and instead of cheering them on at the YMCA, we'll be watching courtside at MSG.
Happy (belated) birthday Dea!! Love, Mere
