This is the…sixth (!!!) year that I have known Clarisa. Four of those years were a “long distance” friendship, as we didn’t become friends until junior year of high school. I’d say I’ve learned a thing or two about the art of friendship over the years…

We did just recently spend five hours in Paris together a few weeks ago, so I suppose this is somewhat of a Clarisa appreciation post. Clarisa is hard-working and smart; kind; loyal; wise. There is a host of other qualities I could name, but I’ll start with those. Plus the most important one: Clarisa is the one who taught me, peer-to-peer, how to live a life that loves Jesus! And I have been incredibly blessed.

So what is the art of friendship, then?

It’s time. Encouragement. Sending postcards. Sporadic text messages. Understanding. Effort! So many more things that make a friendship, but I’ll stop here for now. I do have photographs to share, though.

No, this is definitely not Paris, but these photographs are so special to me that I’m giving them space here. Clarisa has been in front of my camera since the VERY beginning. Due to an unforeseen camera malfunction, all of the following photos are on film. One of my proudest moments! Taken right before I left for Paris on Crissy Field Beach. And following, snaps from sunset in Paris.

Leave a note below and tell me what the art of friendship is to you!