40 Reasons I Heart Cindy

My friend, Cindy, is having a BIG birthday today! Here are FORTY reasons why I love her:

1. She is real, real smart.
2. She has traveled extensively.
3. She is SUPER artistic.
4. I try to copy her drawings, but fail miserably... She doodles better than I can draw when I'm trying really hard!
5. She inspires me to dream big!
6. She sets ambitious goals and ACCOMPLISHES them!
7. She loves her boys unconditionally.
8. She has raised well-adjusted, funny, responsible young men that are a joy to be around.
9. She is devoted to giving her littlest guy all of the love, attention, and assistance that he needs.
10. She has been through hell, but doesn't show it.
11. She is witty... which I LOVE!
12. She thinks that I'm funny, too.
13. She treats my little Hannah with love and respect.
14. She cooks delicious food - and makes it look effortless!
15. She is patient with me.
16. She motivates me to never give up... especially with school.
17. She is opinionated!
18. She stays apprised of current events.
19. She loves to travel.
20. She likes to try new things... particularly hole-in-the-wall restaurants. So fun!
21. She is a strong, independent woman.
22. She has fun (and slightly CRAZY) stories.
23. She doesn't judge me.
24. She took me to get my first pedicure!
25. She is entrepreneurial.
26. She is a writer!
27. She is empathetic of other people's struggles.
28. She is a licensed interpreter for the deaf.
29. She is a teacher.
30. She is a scrapper... ;)
31. She helped me to create a super-awesome scrapbook for my mom's 60th birthday.
32. She is happy to have Hannah come over whenever I do, which saves me the limitations (and cost) of a sitter.
33. She makes delicious beverages!
34. She loves to sing... and is REALLY good at it!
35. She has offered to give Hannah voice lessons in the future.
36. She talks to her boys the way I talk to Hannah... like they're on our level.
37. She is generous - with her time, attention, and talents.
38. She strives to better the lives of others... and goes to great lengths to do so. Like all the way to Kenya...
39. She gets irritated by stupid people - JUST LIKE I DO!
40. Because she's an amazing woman, and I want to be like Cindy when I grow up!

Love you, Cindy-Lou-Who!!!