Ode to Amanda

In December, my best friend Amanda Lynn Cochran is getting married. She's marrying Stefan Schaefer and then moving to Detroit, Michigan. So this is an Ode to Amanda.

Mandy and I met freshmen year of college for me at Elon University. We met in our Statistics class. About two weeks into class I sat down next to her and we started talking. We had seen each other at IV or somehow she decided that I looked interesting...haha! After class we went to Acorn for lunch. After about an hour she had to go to class. She gave me a big hug and determined that we were friends and that we should hang out again. Little did I know that our friendship would blossom into what it is today.

My next memory of Mandy was a couple weeks later on my birthday. My birthday freshmen year fell on the same weekend as parent's weekend. The awful time when everyone's parents come to campus except for yours. My dad was in Ecuador and my roommate reminded me daily that her parents were coming. I was pretty miserable. Oh and I was homesick/cultural shocked and ready to go home. Mandy found out it was my birthday and decided to make me cookie cake and decorate it with chocolate balls. She picked me up from work and we went to celebrate with some other friends at her house. The chocolate balls did not end very well on top of the cake so we took them off, put them in a Ziploc bag and labeled them poopola. The bag then went on some guys front porch.

Over my freshmen year Mandy led a Bible study for me, Danielle, Heidi and Nancy! We had a grand time spending time together, digging into God's word, being introduced to some Burlington's must including Cook Out and La Fiesta and playing some amazing pranks. At the end of freshmen year we all went our ways for the summer but we all staying in touch. Sophomore year started and Danielle, Heidi and I lived together. We weren't able to keep Bible Study going but our friendship remained.

Throughout sophomore year Mandy and I grew closer. We went through frustrations, questions, long conversations, complaints about work and school, crazy professors, a couple pranks, and encouraging each other in our faith. Mandy helped me endure several broken relationships, bronchitis and finally getting to the end of the school year. That summer I lived in DC and she lived in Cleveland but we endured through long cell phone calls and a couple visits! We came back to Elon and lived together for Mandy's last semester at Elon. At this point Chris and I started dating. In January Mandy graduated and much to my dismay moved back to Cleveland. Which gave me the sudden need to go to the cold North several times in the next few months and years.

Our friendship continued as we talked for hours on the phone, emailed, planned my wedding after I got engaged in September of my senior year. Mandy came for a weekend and helped me find my wedding dress. We also both cried, laughed, vented and trusted God for long months as we dealt with frustrations with life, relationships, looking for jobs.....etc....etc AND of course the many joys from life, relationships, finding jobs....etc...etc.

On June 6th, 2009 Mandy stood by me as Chris and I got married and I can't wait until 12/11/10 when I get to return the favor. Amanda is one of the most amazing, passionate, loving, fun people I know. She always gives her all into everything she does, whether its work or friendships, her relationship with Stefan or her relationship with God. She is creative and so very organized. There is always a splash of green, red or orange in life when Mandy is involved. She has to match her belt and shoes. She has a awesome sense of style and always is doing something fun with her clothes. And if you have ever met Mandy you know that she is drop dead gorgeous inside and out. She has a beautiful smile and a laugh that is contagious. I know that God has great plans for Stefan and Amanda as they move onto the next step in their relationship and to a new city. God Bless and lots of love from Costa Rica or the Blond Mexican!