Besides the fact that she is from Georgia, the nickname Peaches is perfect for her. Her skin is flawless, perfectly colored, just like a peach. Her southern drawl and sweet personality take you in, and you feel lucky to be a part of her world.

Fiercely loyal, fun to be around, wonderful sense of humor, (I am talking knee-slapping funny), quick witted, intelligent, honest, generous, adventurous---these are just a few of the hundred adjectives that describe our dear friend.

One of my favorite memories of her is her standing on a hay bale (looking fabulous in a Hooters Girls costume) at one of my Halloween parties and asking the crowd if they "want any weeengs?" (wings) The plate was devoured in a few seconds.

As one poet put it: "Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life"--and this describes Peaches perfectly.

Peaches and I take weekly walks out in the state park, and they are some of my favorite hours of the week. There is nothing that we can't discuss with startling openness, and I know that I can count on her to willingly listen to anything that I am grappling with and she will give me straight-forward advice, as well as a good dose of humor. I can trust her implicitly, with confidentiality and to provide thoughtful words of wisdom. These are what I consider trademarks of a true lifelong friend.

She is off on another adventure in about a year from now, and even though I am happy for her, I am going to miss her terribly. In the short time that she has been here in Benicia, we have had a ton of good times.

Happy Birthday, my wonderful friend, and I hope your upcoming year in Benicia brings you extraordinary memories, the best of times and the knowledge that you are adored by many. I would wish for everyone to have such a friend as you.

I am going to attempt to write two blogs tonight, in honor of two friends that had birthdays within the last 30 days.

There was once a famous author who was quoted as saying,"Don't hang out with people who are not where you want to be." I think this is sound advice, and it serves as a mantra in the back of my mind whenever I meet someone.

When I started to get to know Robyn, I was in awe of how sunny and positive she is about life. I have yet to hear her utter an unkind word about anyone. She walks with light, and goodness. Even if someone has wronged her, she carries no animosity toward them, and always gives even the most undeserving person a break. Little did I know, this is just the tip of the iceberg in the depth of her kindness.

Robyn is a nurse that works with cancer patients. Along with raising children, she helps people in their greatest hour of need. I can't imagine the energy and strength that her job must take, and I have the greatest admiration for her, and all of those in healing professions.

On top of this, she has served as a nurse to close family members with terminal illnesses as well. To help a loved one transition from life to death is perhaps one of the most difficult challenges any person faces. I don't mean to be macabre, but I want to paint the whole picture here of just how amazing she is. It is easy to be altruistic and congenial when life is going our way, and I am certainly guilty of allowing my circumstances to affect my mood, but this is not the case for Robyn. While she was truly doing God's work, she would always manage a smile, an encouraging word for someone and maintain a softhearted disposition.

I would venture to say that she truly gets "it." Life is precious, delicate yet hardy, and worth putting a smile on for, even in the toughest of circumstances. She values her minutes here on earth and seems to realize that pettiness is a waste of everyone's time. I have learned a lot by watching how she handles it all with such grace, and I can only hope that some of her amazing-ness rubs off on me.

Happy Birthday, Robyn! I hope this new decade brings you nothing but more of your gorgeous and magnetic smiles!