Dear Niccole B.,

It was one day that Ben came home and said, "I saw Scott-la-rock and his wife is going to call you..." Yeah, that is exactly how it went. Then I figured out we previously met at a Christmas party and we actually talked for sometime, but I was so happy when our paths crossed again. Our babies were born within months of each other and we were both embarking on an experience that I don't know about you, but I was confused, scared, excited, worried, and just not sure what I was doing day by day. But, being able to talk and hang out with you made it an experience worth having. What I will always remember is when we had a "catch up" lunch and you told me you were pregnant with Nadia and then I got to share with you I was pregnant with Alexandra. Just thinking about it makes me smile. What were the chances of being pregnant at the same time. Bananas! I appreciate life experiences you have shared with me. I will forever be thankful for Gymboree, mall outings, lunch dates, and birthday parties. I know we don't talk everyday and hang out like we used to, but I feel we will always be "mommyhood/ stay at home moms" kindred spirits. Thanks for being such a great mommy friend!

Hugs and kisses,
Shannon

Dear Grandma Agnes,

It was so nice seeing you today. You were beautiful! Honestly, I don't think I ever remember seeing you in purple, no lavender, but you looked regal, just wonderful. I am so grateful to speak to you and tell you thank you and I love you before you left. Today I was reminded of so many things;
 - cooking - I learned so much from you. Sometimes it wasn't even directly, at times it would be through my mother. She would say, "Your Grandma Agnes told me like this, or do it like this..." Ben said that's why he wanted to marry me. I can cook!
 - my 1st designer bag - I was nine and you bought me my 1st Gucci purse. I still have it. Now, more than ever, I will always have it. It's vintage.
 - my 1st car - you told me you thought I would always look cute in a pick up truck. So when it was time to buy my first car, "Sweet Pea", that is what I bought. "Sweet Pea" was long and green like a pea pod. I loved that truck. Thanks for helping me with the down payment.
 - indulging Ron-Ron and I by literally taping music videos from BET because BET wasn't part of our cable package at that time. Now, that's a grandmama!
 - sweet peppermint kisses
 - unconditional love
But what I am most grateful is that you got to see the Cheerios, Isabel and Alex, before you left. What a blessing for children to see their Great-Grandmother. They may not remember when they get older, but I know they will have the memory in their hearts forever.
I love you and I will miss you,
Shannon

Dear Mrs. Alzaga,

I know you haven't heard from me in a while.... a long while. Not too long ago I was reminded about how I used to play the violin and why did I give it up. Don't know, I guess I grew out of it. But the conversation made me instantly think of you. You believed in me so much when it came to playing the violin... coaching me to be a leader, mentoring me through the GHP auditions, preparing me to be 1st chair violin.  The one memory in which I will never, ever forget is in 8th grade. Not sure what they called it, but I guess it was an 8th grade graduation. Each teacher had to pick an "outstanding student" for the year. I was for sure that you would pick Richard, but you picked me! You even called my mom to make sure to be there! I was so surprised and I told you that too. You said it wasn't about being the best player, it was just about being who I am. Thank you so much for that and everything else. Twenty-two years later and I remember that moment like yesterday. What you said made an impact on my life. I often forgot and would loose sight of being who I am, but I still remember and reminded through memory of you that being yourself is what it is all about. I hope you are still teaching, coaching and mentoring. I know your awesome encouragement is making some student's dim light a bright one.

Sincerely,
Shannon Bryant (now Shannon Shaw)

Dear Monica H.,

I know we haven't talked in a while, in fact, I think the last time we talked you were telling me about some major things going on in your life. At that moment I felt bad. How could I have let so much time pass? But I want to take this time to say, "Thank you!" I don't think I expressed enough how much it meant for you to be so nice and kind when it seemed like no one was on my side. You really made my time being a cheer coach so much easier (especially my last year coaching while I was pregnant!). I appreciate you always letting me vent out my frustrations and you offering wise advice. Also, thanks for supporting my decisions when many parents wouldn't. At times some of those moments were unbearable, but you helped me get through them. I can't thank you enough for that. Now that I am a mother myself the friend relationship we have means so much more. I admire how your children are focused and did well in high school and moved on to big and great accomplishments in college. I have no doubt that they had a great influence from you. So I would love to catch up with you. I have many things to share with you and I would like to hear your perspective. *smile* I look forward to catching up with you soon.

Take care,
Shannon (Coach Shaw)

Dear Marsha P.,

My dear friend Marsha. I am so glad I made your acquaintance. We met at DLP, my first weekend actually in Athens, Ga. Six, Seven, Eight!!!! I met your husband Leslie before I met you and when he told me about you I knew I was going to fall in love.  What I have treasured the most about our friendship is how when we were active in DLP we didn't see each other until the summer months. But when we saw each other during the DLP weekends we didn't skip a beat. It was like we had never left each other from the previous summer. I think that is amazing because back then we weren't even doing the Facebook thing... LOL! Then, I stayed a weekend in Arkansas with you and Leslie and I had so much fun! Thanks so much for being such a great host. It's very few times that I meet someone who means what they say and say what they mean, and you truly do. In fact, I love how you actually say things that I am thinking. One day we were talking and you said, "Can I be authentic with you?" And then you made this statement about yourself that was so honest and real. I have to tell you Marsha, it was so refreshing because I often feel the exact same way, but never have the guts to be real and say it out loud. But you did... thank you so much! I know we won't talk everyday or every other day, but I know when we speak, it will be right where we left off. Thanks so much for being my very authentic friend and supporting everything I do.

Love,
Shannon

Dear Tera M.,

Carrots!!!! What can I say? I honestly did not see this friendship coming my way, but it did, and I am so glad and delighted! I remember seeing you on my first day at KMHS; it was the new teacher orientation. We didn't talk... but it wasn't until a scandal broke out at the school that we started really communicating like everyday! You would let me come into your room and give you all the dish, LOL! That whole thing was bananas! That was our first year there and we have been friends ever since. Then I think the next year we were named, "Peas and Carrots" because we were always seen together. Does anyone ever notice that we call each other "peas and carrots"? Well, even though I left teaching going on three years now, I am so, so happy that we became friends and talk very often. I adore all of your talents! Literally, I can call you and ask you a cooking question and you ALWAYS have an answer. I love how you are so open and honest. You have shared personal experiences with me that has been priceless and you have listened to me and my issues without judgement, thank you! I look forward as we continue to be friends and be new mommies. You are the best Carrots!

Love,
Peas

Dear Angela F.,

Honestly, I am not sure how our relationship became so sour. Well, maybe I do, but still I don't understand why it had to get that point. Believe it or not you taught me a lot when I worked with you at the school. I learned a lot about my work place relationships. What to do and what not to do. Towards the end of me teaching I know we really, how should I put it, get along. But the one memory/ moment I appreciate is when you went with me on my first field trip, my first year teaching at the school. I took my marketing class to an advetising agency, but the thought of taking 20 something teenagers out of school into the city just scared me. When I was asking you questions prior to the trip about the logistics I think you could see it written all over my face. You asked me, "Do you want me to go with you?" It was such a sigh of relief... YES! I can't thank you enough for that. From then on I always felt so prepared and confident about going on field trips. A true testiment of how successful it was, I had a student I had in that class email me a couple weeks back asking me about the firm we went to. She wants to do an internship there because she is majoring in marketing in college. You were a part of that and I can't thank you enough. It may have been a little thing, but it was definitely a big thing to me.

Best regards,
Shannon