Giving Thanks for Torrie

Around the holidays, people spend time thinking about what they are thankful for, and there are many things that can fit into this topic. Some are thankful for their belongings, others are thankful for their families or the fact that they have a home. Those who are lacking for most things in their life are thankful for anything they can get, for charities, for places to stay and for any heat or attention they may receive. People in my situation are the most thankful for the people who are there for them. This is why I am the most thankful for my best friend, Torrie Lynn Jadlocki.

To begin with, I’m thankful for her because we get along so well. Since I met Torrie in the middle of seventh grade we’ve agreed on just about everything. I don’t think I’ve ever understood anyone as well as I understand, and I know for a fact no one has ever understood me as well as she does, because I’m a very confusing person and also a very confused person who has to ask her about myself all of the time- ex. ‘Torrie, what’s my phone number?’ and ‘Torrie, what’s my birthday?’ and ‘Torrie, how old do I turn this year?’ All of those questions have in fact taken place, and she has known the answers while I haven’t (I once told my grandfather my birthday was on December 25th, and it’s actually December 22nd). We also get along on the music we listen to (spending numerous hours fawning over everything Josh Groban-related) and the shows we watch (constantly showing off our knowledge of the sci-fi channel) and anything else you might be able to name.

Another reason I’m thankful for Torrie is that, well, suffice it to say she is just amazing. I don’t see how anyone can’t love her. I mean, she’s one of the most friendly people I ever know- the way we became friends was she started talking to me randomly at the Pumpkin Run, and it’s easy to see how that worked out. Her grandmother has declared in the past that she could go into a roomful of little old ladies doing their knitting and quilting and she would be friends with all of them in no time at all. Another great thing about Torrie is how accepting she happens to be. No more needs to be said than, well, look at who she’s dating. He’s one of the weirdest people we all know- and by one of the weirdest, I mean the weirdest. Torrie is also very cheerful and honest; she’s never once lied to me, and you hardly ever see her without a smile. So basically, Torrie is the epitome of everything amazing.

However, the biggest reason I am thankful for Torrie is that she rescued me from a deep dark pit of despair. When she first met me, that long way back in seventh grade, I was one of the most depressed people you could find in the school. Nothing was right for me, I wasn’t interested in much, and I was just never in the mood for anything. Then I met the amazing girl who was (and is) Torrie. After awhile of knowing her and still being anywhere from 70%-95% depressed (depending on the day and time you spoke to me) I started going to church with her every so often. While I had never been one for religion, there was something about Ashland Baptist that was different- it was a warm, welcome, completely open environment, and something I hadn’t experienced before. I started going more and more often. As time passed and I was surrounded by the people of Ashland, I started to change. I was happier. I still am happier. I do things now that people never would have imagined me doing before. And for all of this, I thank Torrie. I basically owe her myself.

All of these things considered, I don’t think there is anything in the world I could be more grateful for than Torrie Jadlocki. She is the most fun person I’ve ever been around; we fit together perfectly, and do a lot of things together. There isn’t anything she could ask that I wouldn’t do for her. I love her to death. I probably wouldn’t survive without her these days, because she is my rock. I thank God every day of my life for sending her to me.