101 Reasons for Abby

Two years ago my best friend Amie wrote a note on Facebook, called "101 Reasons Why I Love Jill Stuckey."  It blew me away, so last year, I made a list of 101 reasons why I love her.  

Today is our friend Abby's birthday and together Amie and I wrote a list of reasons we love Abby.  In the list, our responses are all mixed up together so when you see "Me" or "I" you'll just have to guess whether it's Amie or myself speaking (here's a hint: when Amie's husband Daniel (D) is referred to, the "me" is probably Amie).

I think when you read this list, even if you don't know Abby personally, you get a great picture of a good, loving, adventurous and selfless person. That's Abby.  

If you do know Abby personally, please join the fun and list a thing or two that you love about her in the comments.

1. The force with which Abby tackled Meghan at the volleyball court.
2. She encouraged me regularly in my effort to lose weight. 
3. When Abby and Bryan forced me and D to go on a spontaneous hike with them - I think this started our friendship.
4. She really loves listening to conversations between her husband Bryan and I (my questions/his knowledge).
5. Abby and Bryan hosting fusion lunches at their Hamilton's  Bay apt.
6. It is easy to have adventures with her. 
7. Introducing me to Pad Thai!
8. She only calls kids "children."
9. Helping them move every time! 
10. She loves to clamber on rocks like me. 
11. How happy I was when Abby told me she was pregnant with Anna. I fell down in the middle of the church lobby. 
12. Daniel's reaction: "Now that's a baby I'm excited about."
13. She decided to read the bible in a year and then did. Twice. And a half. 
14. Our Jekyll/Brunswick Memories: Saint Andrew's rope swing, the house on Wolfe street, making friends with the community people, King & Prince, driftwood beach, Jill swimming the Jekyll River
15. She doesn't lose her patience with her children.
16. Riding in the back of the truck together. 
17. She loves.
18. She made my first triathlon an experience of a lifetime because of the signs she and Anna made. 
19. She can drive a stick. 
20. Watching Amelie at camp.
21. She is brave. 
22. Making the signs for Jill's triathlon.
23. She is kind to all. 
24. Being present when both England kids went in the ocean for the first time.
25. She actually can take captive every thought. 
26. Hiking Crowders with Anna when she was extremely little.
27. She knitted me a beautiful scarf. 
28. Being the official England Family Photographer.
29. She is one of my favorite hug givers. 
30. Abby taking me on a walk behind her old Clover house. We saw a turtle laying eggs.
31. She has a sense of style all her own. 
32. Abby's green hand/love shirt.
33. She's an ocean-loving wave jumper. 
34. Staying up late in Brunswick chatting in the living room on the night of our arrival every time.
35. She is supportive of both of my sisters.
36. Visiting the Community and drinking the red kool-aid.
37. She fearlessly talks to strangers. 
38. Walking across the Jekyll bridge and getting caught in the rain.
39. She is quite the cook. 
40. Eating soup and crab cake sandwiches at SeaJays. 
41. Being there when she both bought and lost her wedding ring.
42. Always taking pictures with the giant gorilla at Larry's Subs.
43. One day in June about 9 years ago, I called her to see if she wanted to do something and she said "I can't, I'm getting married today. "
44. Climbing trees at Driftwood Beach.
45. Catching a baby shark at the Jekyll pier!!! Neo!!
46. She made me realize I wanted to visit the Grand Canyon when I had never wanted to before. 
47. How much Abby and I both love chicken salad from Chick-fil-a. 
48. She's overcome her anger issues. 
49. How badass Abby is when she does a mud run, until she starts going blind.
50. Having Wednesday dinners at Wang and king pre kids.
51. That Abby bought us a crepe maker! 
52. How good of a cook she thinks I am. And how good of a cook I think she is. 
53. Her transparency.
54. She is good at being a wife.
55. Her ability to see her mom's total insanity and still love her.
56. She doesn't want for anything. 
57. Her commitment to helping me survive as a teacher.
58. She really cares about Fusion. 
59. That she can drive a bus.
60. That she gave me her car for almost a year!
61. That she taught me to drive a stick shift. 
62. She says "that's special" and really means it. 
63. That she reads the Bible everyday without fail as if it is the easiest thing ever. 
64. She has horrible headaches, but doesn't let that stop her. 
65. Her love of bonfires and Christmas carols and lemon water. 
66. That she has an engagement toboggan. 
67. When Talbot confused me and D with Bryan and Abby. D said it was the best compliment Talbot ever gave us.
68. She really loves kids.
69. Her love of being and sleeping outside.
70. She is very strong.
71. She looks at all people like Jesus did. 
72. That she hikes mountains with babies all over her, without complaint.
73. That she hiked the Grand Canyon with Anna.
74. She loves to help people move.  
75. When Abby taught a Bible study lesson at a women's retreat and she said, "How do we show God that we love him? By following the 10 commandments. And by recycling." 
76. She has beautiful children. 
77. How much and how well she loves Bryan. And that they can't play settlers of Catan together anymore. 
78. That she plays the recorder.
79. She was in my same Good Shepherd membership class. 
80. She has great conversations with Talbot.
81. We've been friends for 10 years.  
82. She gives great running hugs.
83. She does not own a TV. 
84. But she and Bryan watched The Office faithfully for awhile because of me. 
85. She did not understand a Quincinera. 
86. That she and Bryan used to exchange love notes in runes.
87. She makes me peanut butter pie on my birthday. 
88. That Bryan's mom found out about Abby because one of her hairs was left in their house.
89. How much Abby loves Christmas Adam.
90. Her enthusiasm. 
91. Her amazing collection of graphic tees.
92. She's a mom, but not an annoying one. 
93. Her love of flowy skirts.
94. She's a wildcard mafia player. 
95. We swim long distances together. 
96. Her commitment to only posting positive things on Facebook.
97. She used to be Abi. Now she's Abby, because she no longer feel the need to be rebellious. 
98. Her love of contra dancing.
99. She's a great blogger/writer when she does it. 
100. She loves Moe's.
101. She's a faithful follower of my blog.