My Best Friend

There are a few things in life that I hold very dear to my heart. My relationship with the Lord, my parents, my sissy, my hubby, my children, and my friends. In that mix of love there is one person who stands out tonight. I have had the privilege to have both a sissy and a best friend. I didn't need one, but God put this friend in my life from the moment she was born. I am a little older-not by much-but at 7 months I was introduced to my BEST friend in the entire world, Anna-Banana. We were inseparable when young. You see, her mom is my mom's best friend. The only friend who my mom asks for daily and loves to be with even today. And my mom's best friend loves my mom so very much, she will do anything for her. She is one of the only friends who still comes and sits with mom and hangs out. Love her...but back to Anna. We have gone through cheer tryouts, Christmas, birthdays, formals, proms, graduations, college graduations, visits to UCSC, and weddings, and now babies. She is the kind of friend where time passes, but nothing has changed. Our families have been together forever and there is nothing I wouldn't do for anyone of them, especially my Anna. I remember one night that I spent at Anna's house...she didn't like to spend the night at my house because she had to go to church in the morning, so she was always mysteriously ill come bed time Saturday night. But I digress; it was the weekend before she was going to enter Junior High School. She asked all kinds of questions, but the one that sticks out to this very day was "Nina, is it cool to fold your socks in Junior High?" Ever so wisely I answered "yea! Of course!" 

When I gave birth to my Niko, Popi, Anna, George, and my whole family waited around for 3 days...in and out they came to Saint Agnes Hospital waiting for this baby. Anna would come in every night and sneak me some Jello pudding she found delightful in the cafeteria...I didn't care for it much, but she came and delivered it every night...and she was there when he was first born to hold him and love him. And on January 12th she had her first baby boy. And Popi, George, my dad, my mom, sissy, and others waited for baby Aleko to enter this world. And we only waited a whole day, but I didn't get a chance to sneak in some Jello Pudding, but he came and I was there to hold him and love him. Best Friends...

I was the better singer...

I always caught more fish...

So here is my BEST friend...she did a great job looking beautiful all the way up to delivery...

and beyond! Love this girl and I am so proud of her! 

Here are my two favorite ladies. My mom will never be able to take care of Anna's little one like Popi has watched my babies (all four of them at one time!) and the way she used to come to my house every day for 5 years watching my babies, but she wanted to hold that little bundle of joy. And when she did all was right with the world. Mom wasn't sick, the best friends were together enjoying the new grand baby and mom was singing her famous lullaby that all the kids know in this house...

Kouvia, bella, epese h kopella, mesa sthn varela...

Good luck my Best friend, you don't need it, you are going to be a great mother! 

Welcome to the best job you will ever have! I love you!

Anna-Banana...Nina-Bobina