This page is dedicated to my very dear friend, Shawna Hoffmann.  Shawna and I have known each other for 5 years. We met over the internet in February of 1999 on a bulliten board through Parents Place.com. The board was for women who were pregnant and due in October of 1999. We learned that we both lived in the North Texas area, just a short 10 minutes from each other, and started posting frequently. Sadly both Shawna and I miscarried within about a week of each other.  Our postings on the board turned into emails of support for each other. Surprisingly enough, just a short 2 months after we miscarried, we both conceived again and were due in January of 2000. We joined another board for moms due in January and our friendship grew from there.  We met in person on July 1, 1999 and have been the best of friends ever since.  Our friendship has been through a lot in 5 years, but we both come out stronger friends because of it.

   Meeting someone on the Internet would have been something that I never would have dreamed of doing a few years ago, but then again, I didn’t think people like Shawna existed.  We are almost inseparable, (our husbands keep us from that! :o}) we finish each others sentences, think the exact same things at the same time, and have two precious children born 3 1/2 weeks apart who will have the privilege of growing up together. We talk to each other every single day through the phone, e-mail or instant messages or in person.  I cannot imagine my life now without her in it...she is to me, an answered prayer, an angel from heaven and the best friend anyone could ever have...

Shawna and her family have now moved to Louisiana. It’s been a very rough summer without her. Many times I’ve wanted to just get in the van for the short 10 minute drive to her house.  I miss her dearly, but we’ve vowed to see each other once a month..more if we have to!!! Update---The Hoffmann’s have moved back to TX!!!  We are too excited!!  No one welcomed them back with open arms more than us!!!

November 1999 at Maria’s baby shower

Our babies~~Maeghan Elise & Justin Stuart

Maeghan, Maria & Justin~~April 2002

Maria, Shawna & Jenna

November 2002

This is for you, my best friend, the one person I can tell my soul to.
Who can relate to me like no other.

Who is so much like me, we should have been sisters.
Who I can laugh with to no extents,
Who I can cry to when times are tough,
Who can help me with the problems of my life.

Never have you turned your back on me, or told me I wasn't good enough
Or let me down

I don't think you know what that means to me.
You have gone through so much pain and you still have time for me.
I love you for listening even when inside YOU are dying.

I look up to you because you are strong, and caring and beautiful.
Even though you don't think you are.

I hope you know that I am always here to listen to you, laugh, cry and help, in all the ways that I can.
I will try to be at least half the friend you are to me.

I hope you know I would not be the person I am today, with out you, my best friend.