Dear Sarah, how is it that you've just turned thirty? It seems like just yesterday we were three. We met in Nursery School during the Reagan administration. Do you remember those times? Trickle-down economics meant nothing to us then. However, the poor economy did result in getting a " Cauliflower Kid" instead of a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas because money was tight. Even then I didn't care. I actually liked the Caulidlower Kid better; I had much more fun playing with the giant plastic cauliflower that it came in than the doll.

You share your birthday with the " shot heard 'round the world". To me, that makes your special day all the more special to me. Those colonists, fed up with the tyranny of British rule, waged a revolution that resulted in our great nation. There's something very beautiful about true patriotism. It's too bad that right-wing crazies mask their hatred, bigotry and selfishness under the guise of " patriotism". Last I checked, the original patriots were selfless and sacrificied their lives so that we could be free. The original Boston Tea Party was a giant slap in King George's face. Too bad I couldn't have slapped Sarah Palin in the face when she was here last week on the Tea Party tour. Seriously, our forefathers are turning over in their graves whenever that hateful woman opens her lip-sticked mouth. If I didn't have the self-preservation to not get arrested for assault, I definitely would introduce her face to my hand. Now, that would have been the slap heard 'round the world!

Different schools caused us to part ways after Kindergarten. We missed George Bush Sr's administration entirely. Thankfully, the beginning of the Clinton era brought us back together. Those were wonderful times. The worst teen-angst drama could be resolved in a long car ride. Remember those cars? The oldsmobile that needed a bat to prop the hood up. The old volvo with the radio on the floor. Those are some of my fondest memories.

We rode out the rest of the Clinton administration as we both entered UMASS together. Although our friendship hit some bumps in the road there, I will always be grateful that you were there with me. Just the thought of you and your friendship is a constant comfort. Having you there was even better. Thank God because I needed all the comfort that I could get when that moron and the GOP literally stole an election. September 11 started off our senior year. At a time when every college senior is confronted with the anxiety of " What's next?" for our futures, we were faced with the anxiety of " What's next?" for the world as we knew it.

You came to visit with me in Sydney when I was in graduate school. You and ( most) of the girls and I had an amazing time. I remember how excited I was in the days leading up to your visit because I missed our friends' sense of humor so much. I definitely needed a laugh then because it seemed like the entire country of Australia ( with the exception of their Prime Minister at the time) hated George Bush, and in turn, America. I remember sitting on my couch in Sydney with Kevin, watching Baghdad being bombed, live. I just remember thinking, " How could this be happening?" How did our country let this happen? I was as critical of our country as the Australians. America deserved that crticism then. However, that anger and sadness about the near-ruin of our great nation ( thanks a lot Bush!) would in turn fuel my ferver to get Obama elected!

You are a wonderful friend. I don't think I tell you that enough. However, we may need to part ways again soon. Although this time, it will only be a geographical distance and not a relational one. D.C. is calling this democraddict. I know that you just bought a house and won't move with me, but wouldn't that be great? Just think; you and I as a dynamic political duo. We would give Sarah Palin and Michelle Bauchman a run for the GOP's money.

Happy Birthday Sarah. Here's to thirty more years of friendship.

Maybe you can drive down and visit, in the old Volvo.